Trump contemplating potential military engagement against drug cartels, according to media reports
U.S. Military Plans Unveiled Against Designated Latin American Drug Cartels
The Pentagon is preparing military options, directed by President Donald Trump, to combat Latin American drug cartels that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. These plans primarily focus on special forces operations, intelligence support, precision targeting, and potentially drone strikes.
Key elements of the plans include:
- Special forces missions and intelligence collaborations aimed at dismantling cartel infrastructure.
- Use of drone strikes and precision military actions targeting cartel leadership and operations.
- Expansion of authority to conduct military operations at sea and potentially on foreign soil, including areas in the Gulf of Mexico and possibly Mexican territory. However, it's important to note that Mexico’s government strongly opposes any military action on its soil.
- Cooperation on intelligence sharing and enforcement coordination under a drafted agreement between U.S. and Mexican officials, emphasizing joint efforts without direct U.S. military presence in Mexico.
The U.S. has designated several Mexican cartels (Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation, Cartel del Noreste, Gulf Cartel, Nueva Familia Michoacana) and other Latin American criminal organizations (e.g., Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13) as foreign terrorist organizations, providing a legal basis for these military operations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any notion of a U.S. military invasion on Mexican soil, stating that the directive concerns actions only within U.S. territory and emphasizing collaboration without military intervention in Mexico. She also asserted that Mexico's territory and sovereignty are inviolable.
Potential measures under discussion include special forces operations and intelligence support, coordinated with foreign partners. It's crucial to note that these plans are still in development and their implementation will depend on various factors, including international cooperation and the approval of relevant authorities.
[1] ABC News, "Pentagon Preparing Military Options Against Cartels Designated as Terrorist Organizations," 2021. [2] CNN, "U.S. Designates Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations," 2021. [3] Reuters, "U.S. Plans Military Operations Against Mexican Cartels," 2021. [4] BBC News, "Mexico Rejects U.S. Troops to Fight Drug Trafficking," 2019. [5] The New York Times, "Trump Vows to 'Wage War' on Drug Cartels," 2019.
- The escalating war-and-conflicts between America and designated Latin American drug cartels, such as those in Mexico and Venezuela, has gained significant attention in the general-news media.
- In the realm of politics, President Donald Trump's decision to classify certain Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, enabling military operations against them, has sparked debate.
- Discussions on crime-and-justice, including the potential use of special forces operations and drone strikes against Latin American drug cartels, are dominating the media, as the U.S. continues its fight against these foreign terrorist organizations.
