Trump orders military planning against South American drug cartels

Saturday 09 August 2025 - 08:15

The United States is considering direct military action against South American drug cartels after President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to prepare strategies targeting organizations previously designated as foreign terrorist groups by Washington, U.S. media reported on Friday.

According to The New York Times, this directive could establish a legal basis for military operations at sea and abroad against such cartels. The Wall Street Journal noted that Trump has so far only asked the Department of Defense to develop potential options, including the use of special forces and intelligence units, with coordination from the countries involved.

While the Pentagon referred questions to the White House, spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated that Trump’s top priority is to protect U.S. territory. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico stated on X that Washington will use “all available means” to combat drug trafficking, without confirming plans for an armed intervention in Mexico.

Mexico’s Foreign Ministry firmly rejected the idea of U.S. military presence on its soil. President Claudia Sheinbaum assured there would be “no invasion of Mexico” and stressed that cooperation will continue, but without foreign troops.

In recent months, the U.S. has labeled multiple groups — including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, and the so-called “Cartel de los Soles” linked to President Nicolás Maduro — as terrorist organizations. Washington recently doubled its reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, accusing him of drug trafficking.