Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He claims, the cartels are the ones running Mexico.
The U.S. has been targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Pacific and Carribean for months, with more than 30 vessels being hit and at least 110 people dead as of January 1 2026, BBC reported a week ago.
Last weekend, things then escalated further, as U.S. conducted a military operation in Venezuela, which saw the capture of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro, who has since been put on trial in New York, accussed of narcoterrorism and more.
But now, the U.S. crackdown on drug-trafficking is ready to expand the operation. Donald Trump says.
I an interview on Fox News, the POTUS said that the United States is preparing launch ground attacks against drug cartels – and those plans have to potential to escalate the tensions between the U.S. and the Latin American countries further.
Pressure on Mexico
Speaking on the show Hannity, Trump said the cartels had taken control of Mexico and described the situation as deeply troubling.
“We will begin ground attacks against the cartels. The cartels run Mexico. It is very, very sad to see and watch what has happened in this country,” he said.
The president has also renewed pressure on Mexico’s government, urging it to “get its act together” after months of disputes over drug trafficking and trade.
Trump said he had asked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to allow U.S. forces to operate inside Mexico to combat cartel groups, a request he acknowledged had been rejected before.
Mexico calls for cooperation instead
Sheinbaum has opposed foreign military intervention, stressing Mexico’s sovereignty and independence in security matters. Her administration has instead called for cooperation that respects national borders.
In recent months, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean and carried out strikes on vessels linked to Venezuela as part of anti-drug efforts.
Experts, non-governmental groups and United Nations officials have questioned the legality of those actions.
So far, the U.S. administration has not publicly released evidence proving that all targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking. Trump has nevertheless said American forces destroyed a docking site in Venezuela allegedly used by traffickers.
Sources: Fox News, Reuters, BBC
