Following the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, President Donald Trump announced plans to escalate operations against drug cartels in Mexico through potential land-based strikes. He stated that after prior maritime attacks in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, which he described as highly effective, the next phase would involve targeting cartels directly on Mexican territory, citing the groups’ influence over criminal activity and the toll on U.S. citizens.

Trump characterised the Mexican cartels as running large portions of the country, claiming they are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually in the United States. He indicated that decisive action is necessary to curb their operations and protect national security, framing land strikes as a logical extension of previous military campaigns.

The announcement drew immediate rejection from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who condemned any intervention in Mexico as a violation of sovereignty. She emphasized that historical foreign interventions in Latin America have failed to deliver democracy or stability, affirming her government’s refusal to permit U.S. forces to operate within the country.

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Trump confirmed that he has repeatedly offered to deploy American forces to tackle the cartels on Mexican soil, but the offers were declined. He stressed the urgency of addressing entrenched criminal networks, insisting that unilateral measures may be required if cooperation is not forthcoming.

Experts have warned that land-based U.S. strikes could be interpreted as acts of aggression, potentially escalating regional tensions and triggering migration and displacement crises. The proposed operations underscore a growing confrontation between U.S. strategic objectives and Mexican sovereignty, raising concerns about the broader implications for international law and regional stability.

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