After overseeing a military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leftist leader Nicholas Maduro and his wife last weekend, US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington is now turning its attention toward Mexico’s drug cartels. In his first sit-down interview since the operation, the 79-year-old president said the United States would soon begin conducting land-based strikes against cartel networks operating in Mexico.
Trump explained that the US had already carried out maritime operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which he claimed had been highly effective in disrupting cartel activities. According to him, the next phase would involve ground operations, as he alleged that criminal organisations have effectively taken control of large parts of Mexico and are responsible for widespread violence and instability.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump asserted that drug cartels were causing immense harm not only within Mexico but also inside the United States, claiming they were linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. He described the situation in Mexico as tragic, arguing that the country’s institutions had been overwhelmed by organised crime and that decisive action was necessary.
Following the remarks, Trump reiterated that he had repeatedly urged Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to allow American forces to operate inside Mexico to dismantle cartel groups. He said she had consistently rejected the proposal, despite pressure from Washington. Trump suggested that, in his view, Mexico’s refusal left the US with limited options to address what he framed as a cross-border security threat.
Sheinbaum responded by strongly criticising the US operation in Venezuela and warning against any similar action targeting Mexico. She rejected foreign military intervention outright, stating that historical experience in Latin America showed such actions had never produced democracy, stability or lasting prosperity.
Experts have cautioned that any US land strikes inside Mexico could have far-reaching consequences. Such actions could be viewed as a violation of Mexican sovereignty, risk diplomatic confrontation, and potentially trigger regional instability, including displacement and increased migration pressures. As of now, Trump’s statements signal intent and escalation in rhetoric, but no confirmed military action has been announced.
