President Donald Trump said the United States may expand its anti-drug operations to target Mexican cartels, signaling a possible escalation of U.S. enforcement efforts south of the border.
During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump said cartel activity in Mexico poses a direct threat to U.S. public safety and claimed criminal organizations are responsible for large-scale violence and drug trafficking affecting Americans.
“We are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels,” Trump said. “The cartels are running Mexico. … They’re killing 300,000 people in our country every single year.”
Trump pointed to maritime counter-drug operations already underway, saying his administration has “knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water.” His remarks come amid ongoing U.S. counter-narcotics strikes against vessels and other maritime targets, following recent operations in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Those operations preceded last weekend’s U.S. airstrikes in Venezuela and the capture of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, actions that marked a significant escalation in U.S. enforcement efforts in the region.
Mexico and Colombia in Focus
While sharply criticizing cartel influence in Mexico, Trump has taken a more measured tone toward Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, describing her as a “good person” while arguing that her leadership has been constrained by cartel intimidation.
Mexico has long been identified by U.S. officials as a major transit route for fentanyl and other illicit drugs entering the United States.
Trump’s comments also follow recent tensions with Colombia. Earlier this week, he threatened potential military action before appearing to soften his stance after a phone call with Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
“It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the two leaders plan to meet at the White House in the “near future.”
Before that call, Trump suggested the United States could target Colombia following strikes in Venezuela, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “It sounds good to me.”
Trump has accused Petro of enabling drug production, while Petro has publicly defended Colombia’s counter-narcotics record, citing large-scale cocaine seizures and the destruction of drug laboratories under his administration.
Trump’s remarks underscore growing uncertainty over how far U.S. enforcement actions could expand in Latin America as the administration continues to frame cartel activity as a national security threat.
