Trump says it would be 'OK' to launch strikes in Mexico against drug cartels
Iran Press TV
Tuesday, 18 November 2025 11:16 AM
US President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of initiating military strikes in Mexico, marking what would be a significant escalation in his administration's purported efforts to combat drug cartels.
During a discussion with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump responded to a question regarding the chances of targeting Mexico or deploying American troops and personnel to the country, stating that he would be fine with such actions.
"Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs. Mexico is — look, I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There's some big problems over there," Trump responded when asked if he was contemplating such a move.
Asked whether he would carry out strikes solely with Mexico's consent, Trump said he "wouldn't answer that question." He added that he has been speaking with the country, adding that Mexico knows "how I stand."
"We've stopped the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the addresses of every drug lord," Trump said. "We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. They're killing our people. That's like a war. Would I do it? I'd be proud to."
Trump's remarks came two weeks after NBC, citing two government officials, reported that the White House was gearing up for the initial phase of a ground offensive in Mexico, which would involve collaboration with US intelligence agencies.
The report indicated that the offensive aims to concentrate on carrying out drone strikes targeting drug laboratories in Mexico and members of the cartels.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly stated that any US military action in Mexico would not take place without her explicit authorization.
In the middle of his Monday comments about Mexico, Trump turned to Colombia, saying he would be "proud" to dismantle cocaine factories in the country.
"We have nobody coming into our southern border, but we know exactly how they get their things here. How they get the drugs here. Fentanyl, cocaine," Trump said. "Colombia is — has cocaine factories, where they make cocaine. Would I knock out those factories? I would be proud to do it, personally."
Since resuming office in January, Trump has relied on executive orders and exploited legal loopholes to authorize military actions against drug cartels, bypassing the need for Congressional approval.
They include labeling six drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, allowing the White House to justify military action under the guise of national security.
Since September, the White House has conducted at least 20 operations targeting boats believed to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 people, including Colombian citizens.
The strikes prompted Colombian President Gustavo Petro to criticize the actions of the Trump administration, resulting in a diplomatic fallout between Petro and Trump.
Trump has described Petro as a drug leader, leading the United States to take the extraordinary step of imposing sanctions on him.
When questioned on Monday in the Oval Office about the possibility of ruling out ground troops in Venezuela, Trump responded negatively.
"I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela," he said.
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