A new report claims that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering the use of drone strikes against Mexican drug cartels as the president cracks down on illegal drug trafficking along the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico.
According to NBC News, six current and former U.S. intelligence, military, and law enforcement officials familiar with the situation told the outlet that the White House, Department of Defense, and intelligence officials have discussed potential drone strikes against the Mexican drug cartels in cooperation with the Mexican government.
NBC News reported that the Trump administration has not made a final decision regarding a plan to counter the Mexican drug cartels; however, the anonymous sources indicated that the Trump administration has not ruled out taking action against the cartels in Mexico without the consent of the Mexican government.
According to NBC News, the sources said the White House has labeled the cartels a threat to the country’s national security, resulting in both the U.S. Military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA increasing surveillance flights in Mexico to gather intelligence prior to any potential action against the Mexican drug cartels. The Associated Press previously reported that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the surveillance flights have been conducted in collaboration with Mexico and at the request of the Mexican government.
READ MORE: Mexican drug cartels using drones to spy on US troops along the southern border
A former official with knowledge of the Trump administration’s plans said that the administration is “looking to build a target deck” by conducting the surveillance flights. The sources indicated that potential targets could include cartel operatives, warehouses, and vehicles.
Following the publication of NBC’s report on Tuesday, Sheinbaum discussed the potential U.S. drone strikes during a news conference.
“We reject any form of intervention or interference,” the Mexican president told reporters. “That’s been very clear, Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself. There is no interference, nor will there be.”
“While this idea hasn’t been formally proposed, we’ve made it clear that it wouldn’t address the root of the issue. What truly works is ongoing attention to root causes, arrests driven by intelligence and investigation, coordination, and zero tolerance for impunity,” Sheinbaum added. “We categorically reject any such actions, and we don’t believe they will happen. There is a strong, ongoing dialogue on security and many other matters.”
According to the six anonymous sources who spoke with NBC News, the Trump administration is hoping to coordinate any potential action against the Mexican drug cartels with the Mexican military and various law enforcement agencies. The sources indicated that the Trump administration views unilateral military action against the Mexican drug cartels as a last resort due to the potential for it to impact the two countries’ relationship.
