Key Points:
- Trump told Fox News the US will “start hitting land” against cartels after claiming 97% success in maritime interdiction
- Trump alleged cartels are “running Mexico” and killing 250,000-300,000 Americans yearly, figures disputed by health experts
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly rejected any US military intervention, emphasizing sovereignty and territorial integrity
- The announcement follows the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on drug trafficking charges
- Trump claimed he repeatedly offered Sheinbaum US military help, which she allegedly declined
- Mexico recently reported a 40% reduction in homicides and increased cooperation with US on security matters
- Experts warn military intervention could suspend US-Mexico cooperation and create unintended consequences
The United States has announced it will launch ground operations against drug traffickers in Mexico. US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, “We are now going to start ground operations against drug traffickers because drug traffickers control Mexico, and they are killing 300,000 people in our country every year”.
Trump’s statement comes amid growing concerns about the escalating drug trafficking problem in Mexico. He also claimed that the US has achieved a 97 percent success rate in interdicting drug trafficking by sea, and that its focus will now shift to land routes. Trump’s statement has sparked a strong reaction in Mexico and raised questions about the future of bilateral relations.
Drug Cartels Running Mexico
Trump claims that the influence of drug cartels in Mexico is so profound that they are effectively running the country, a situation he described as serious. However, Mexico recently claimed a 40 percent reduction in homicides and informed the Trump administration of this, citing its effective security policies. Trump has repeatedly stated that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is “very frightened of the cartels” and that “they’re running Mexico,” despite her elected position.
Mexican President’s Strong Opposition
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly opposed Trump’s statement. During a press briefing in Mexico City, she stated that Mexico is ready to cooperate with the US on security matters, but this cooperation is only possible if the US respects Mexico’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sheinbaum also said that Mexico will not accept any foreign military intervention. Her statement was a strong rejection of potential military intervention by the US administration.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s cooperation with Washington is based on “coordination without subordination” rooted in mutual respect for sovereignty. “We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries,” she stated, making clear that Mexican sovereignty and self-determination remain non-negotiable.
Part of Aggressive Policy Against Drug Trafficking
Trump’s statement is seen as part of his aggressive policy against drug trafficking in Mexico, a policy that has also included accusing Venezuela’s ousted president, Nicolás Maduro, of involvement in drug trafficking. The announcement came just days after US forces captured Maduro and his wife, flying them to New York to face narco-trafficking charges filed by the Southern District of New York.
However, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s statement will actually translate into concrete action. The world is watching this issue closely, as it will determine whether any military intervention or tension will arise in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. Experts have cautioned that any military intervention against cartels within Mexico could be perceived as an act of hostility, leading to severe unintended consequences such as increased displacement and migration pressures, and could suspend the cooperation Mexico has extended on security matters.
Disputed Claims and International Law
Trump’s claim that 250,000 to 300,000 Americans die annually from drugs has been disputed by health experts. Preliminary statistics from the CDC indicate that US overdose deaths totaled approximately 76,516 for the year ending in April 2025, reflecting a nearly 25 percent decrease from the previous year. Additionally, experts question the legal basis for such operations, noting that strikes on foreign soil could violate US and international law, as the US Senate previously rejected resolutions that would limit Trump’s authority to continue military action in Latin America.
