Trump Admin Reportedly Considers Deploying Troops in Mexico to Target Cartels

The Trump administration is reportedly planning a mission with US military and intelligence personnel to target drug cartels operating inside Mexico. 

The Details: Officials familiar with the effort told NBC News (Lean Left bias) the mission would involve ground operations inside Mexico and is currently in its early stages of planning and training. They also said many from Joint Special Operations Command would operate under the authority of the US intelligence community and the CIA. The proposed mission plans to use drone strikes to target drug labs and cartel members. NBC reported some of the drones special forces would require operators to be on the ground to use them effectively and safely. A final decision has not yet been made, and a deployment is not imminent. 

For Context: This mission comes in the wake of escalating attacks on alleged drug smugglers out of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Trump administration designated several Mexican drug cartels, as well as MS-13 and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations in February. This categorization allows US spy agencies and military units sweeping legal authorities to conduct espionage and covert operations targeting these criminal networks.

How the Media Covered It: NBC covered the story through anonymous sources, and reported the Trump administration would “prefer” to coordinate with Mexico on operations. Both NBC and Straight Arrow News (Center) said the mission “would be a break with past US administrations” on Mexican policy. They also highlighted controversy surrounding the recent strikes on alleged cartel boats. Daily Wire (Right) said the operation “could also be done with or without the support of the Mexican government,” but highlighted previous disapproval expressed by Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum of similar plans.

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