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The New York Times reports that Trump has specifically directed the Pentagon to use military force against cartels that have been designated as terrorist organizations. The Wall Street Journal adds that the president has requested a range of options, including the use of special forces and intelligence support, and that any action would be coordinated with foreign partners.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly did not directly confirm these reports but emphasized that the president's "top priority is protecting the homeland" and that he took the "bold step" of designating these groups as foreign terrorist organizations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a separate interview, stated that these designations allow the U.S. to use various elements of American power, including the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies, to target these groups.
Background and International Reaction
The U.S. designated several groups, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico, as terrorist organizations in February. The list has since been expanded to include Venezuela's Cartel of the Suns, which the U.S. alleges is led by President Nicolas Maduro—an accusation Caracas has denied.
The potential for U.S. military action has prompted a reaction from Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has been dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for her ability to negotiate with him, insisted on Friday that there would be "no invasion" of her country. She stated that while Mexico is cooperating with the U.S., any form of invasion is "ruled out."
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