President Trump has suggested the possibility of US military action inside Mexico to combat drug trafficking. The remarks mark a significant escalation in the administration’s approach to border security and have prompted criticism from international observers and officials in Mexico.
As UNILAD has reported, Trump outlined his reasoning during a recent interview, arguing that drug cartels have effectively taken control of large parts of Mexico. He described the situation as “very sad to watch and see,” while claiming the US has already made major progress shutting down maritime drug routes.
The president framed potential military action as a continuation of existing enforcement efforts rather than a new policy direction. These comments come as the administration has increasingly distanced itself from international institutions and cooperative agreements, part of a broader shift away from multilateral engagement that has already sparked backlash.
The threat follows a broader pattern of aggressive rhetoric
Trump claimed the US has largely eliminated drug smuggling by sea and said the focus would now shift to land-based operations. “We knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water, and we are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels,” he said, adding again that “the cartels are running Mexico.”
While Trump acknowledged that any amount of drug trafficking is unacceptable, he suggested military intervention as the necessary response. The prospect of US forces operating inside Mexico has raised concerns due to the implications for sovereignty and international law.
The comments come amid a series of recent actions and statements that critics view as increasingly erratic and confrontational. In recent days, the US carried out strikes against Venezuela, and US forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, citing drug trafficking charges under US law. Trump’s inconsistent diplomatic posture has also been evident in how he speaks about foreign leaders, including his sudden shift in tone toward Colombia’s president after earlier attacks.
Trump has also renewed calls for the US to acquire Greenland from Denmark, arguing the move is necessary for national security. Taken together, these developments have fueled concerns that the administration is willing to bypass established international norms to achieve its objectives.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum quickly rejected any suggestion of US military intervention. Speaking in Mexico City, she emphasized that security cooperation must respect Mexico’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It is necessary to reaffirm that in Mexico, the people rule, and that we are a free, independent and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum said. She added, “Cooperation, yes. Subordination and intervention, no.”
Critics argue that such threats undermine the US’s credibility on the global stage. They warn that disregarding international law could weaken the country’s ability to oppose actions by Russia in Ukraine or deter potential aggression by China.
When asked whether his administration must follow international law, Trump said, “I do,” before adding that it depends on how international law is defined. He also suggested that his actions are ultimately constrained by “my own morality, my own mind,” a statement that has further alarmed critics concerned about the limits of executive power.
Published: Jan 11, 2026 06:00 am