Drone Flights, Terrorist Labels May Signal Coming U.S. Strikes on Cartels
In recent days, the Trump administration has ramped up CIA surveillance drone flights over Mexico, formally designated drug cartels as “foreign terrorist” groups, and floated the possibility of deploying troops to fight organized crime.
Mexico: A New Frontier for U.S. Military Action
Mexico is “essentially run by the cartels,” President Trump has said, insisting that the United States should “wage war” against them. No administration in modern times has taken such a militaristic approach to Mexico, a U.S. ally that Trump blames for producing the fentanyl that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Constitutional Reform
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that she will propose a constitutional reform aimed at protecting her nation’s sovereignty — a move that comes amid growing fears of a U.S. incursion that many believe would only spark more violence.
Drone Flights and Lethal Capabilities
Drones flying over Mexico today are not armed with lethal capabilities. But future strikes are a possibility, according to U.S. officials. Todd Zimmerman, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special agent in Mexico City, said in an interview that the administration’s decision this week to label drug cartels as terrorist organizations was a pointed message to their leadership that U.S. military action is on the table.
U.S. Military Action
Zimmerman said the pace of fentanyl production in Mexico has remained “relatively stable” in recent months. Still, he praised Sheinbaum for stepping up raids by the Mexican military, which he said has resulted in more drug seizures and increased pressure on the cartels.
Alternatives to Military Action
Other experts pointed out that past efforts to deploy military might against drug traffickers have failed to slow the flow of drugs into the United States. When the Mexican government declared war on cartels in 2006 and sent soldiers into the streets to fight them, the clearest result was a massive increase in homicides.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s approach to Mexico’s drug cartels is a departure from past U.S. policy, which emphasized beefing up the rule of law in Mexico and stands at odds with Mexico’s security strategy, which has veered away from the sort of fierce cartel confrontations that drove record levels of bloodshed.
FAQs
Q: What does the Trump administration’s approach to Mexico’s drug cartels entail?
A: The Trump administration has ramped up CIA surveillance drone flights over Mexico, formally designated drug cartels as “foreign terrorist” groups, and floated the possibility of deploying troops to fight organized crime.
Q: What are the concerns about the U.S. incursion in Mexico?
A: Many believe that a U.S. incursion would only spark more violence and undermine Mexico’s sovereignty.
Q: How does the U.S. plan to combat drug cartels?
A: The U.S. plans to use a combination of military action, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement efforts to combat drug cartels.
Q: What are the implications of the U.S. designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations?
A: The designation gives federal authorities broader powers to hit the financial networks that support the cartels, but some worry it could also lay the groundwork for a U.S. military intervention.
