Let's tackle the screwworm crisis and those heavily-armed cartels: NCBA President Wehrbein
U.S. troops assistance from President Trump to combat drug cartels in Mexico rejected by the Mexican president
In a frank talk, NCBA President Buck Wehrbein raises the alarm over the screwworm threat and stresses the urgent need for action from our southern neighbors. Wehrbein commends the tough stance from the Trump administration and Secretary Rollins, but Mexico's response leaves much to be desired.
When the Wall Street Journal dropped a bombshell report on Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the news - U.S. military aid to battle drug cartels was rejected by her administration.
Responding to Trump's question, "How can we help you fight drug trafficking?", Sheinbaum was clear: "Our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable."
*CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK'S BLUEPRINT LAYS OUT HOW TRUMP CAN STING THOSE CARTEL LEECHES*
Sheinbaum's response to The Wall Street Journal's report sparked heated discussions. (AP Images)
In her robust response, Sheinbaum emphasized, "We can collaborate, we can work together, but with you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory."
*SINALOA CARTEL CRAWLING IN US NEIGHBORHOODS: WHERE'S THE FIGHT?*
A statement from White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, sent to Digital Saturday, underlined the coordinated efforts with Mexico to address border security and drug cartels.
"President Trump has worked with President Sheinbaum to advance border security cooperation with Mexico to the highest levels ever," Kelly wrote. "This robust cooperation and information sharing is delivering tangible results, including the removal of numerous cartel leaders to the U.S. to face justice and creating the most secure border in history."
Since Donald Trump's administration, CIA drones have been conducting surveillance over Mexico, and cartels have been officially recognized as "foreign terrorist" groups.
However, Kelly reminded Mexico of the critical role they play in keeping America safe. "Mexico must do more to protect Americans from dangerous foreign terrorist organizations and the drugs and violence they flood into communities on both sides of the border," she wrote.
*CIA DRONES SNAFFER CARTELS AND ILLEGAL NARCO LABS IN MEXICO*
Central to the debate is the role of the military in combating the cartels. The Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative think tank, recently released a report outlining a balanced strategy that encourages cooperation with Mexican authorities while keeping unilateral U.S. action as a potential last resort.
The report advocates a mix of joint military operations with Mexican forces to dismantle cartels and coordinated interventions against cartel leaders. The Foundation highlights weakened U.S.-Mexico security cooperation and escalating cartel influence as reasons for this approach.
While direct military action against cartels should be a last resort, unilateral action may be employed if Mexico resists cooperation. However, the details of such actions remain obscure.
Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Digital, covering everything from crime to the military. Prior to joining Digital, she reported on breaking news, religion, and military matters in the southeast.
While the Heritage report does not advocate for direct cross-border military strikes, it aligns with broader Trump-era policies, including increased drone surveillance and the deployment of over 10,000 U.S. troops to border regions for intelligence-gathering [5]. The report reflects skepticism about Mexico's current approach under Sheinbaum, who has rejected U.S. troop deployments despite rising cartel-related violence [3][5]. Recent developments suggest the U.S. is preparing for more aggressive tactics, including possible CIA assessments of lethal force against cartels and potential drone strikes [4][5], but the Heritage Foundation's proposal remains focused on bilateral coordination as the preferred option [1].
- The Heritage Foundation's report, centered around the screwworm crisis and cartel activity, proposes a balanced strategy for cooperation with Mexican authorities in dismantling cartels.
- This strategy includes designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, aimed at providing a legal basis for expanded military involvement in counter-cartel operations.
- The report also recommends enhanced military collaboration with Mexico, citing weakened security cooperation and escalating cartel influence as reasons.
- However, the report leaves open the possibility for unilateral U.S. action if cooperation proves impossible, although specifics are not provided.
- Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer, covers the ongoing politics and war-and-conflicts, including the debate over the role of the military in combating cartels.
- Despite President Sheinbaum's rejection of U.S. troop deployments, the U.S. is considering more aggressive tactics, such as potential CIA assessments of lethal force against cartels and potential drone strikes.
