Trump Vows to “Wage War” on Mexico’s Drug Cartels
A Key Priority for the Trump Administration
Cracking down on gang members and undocumented immigrants is a key priority for the Trump administration, which designated several Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations last month.
The Cartels: A Grave Threat to National Security
The territory to the immediate south of our border is now dominated entirely by criminal cartels that murder, rape, torture, and exercise total control, President Trump told a joint session of Congress.
They have total control over a whole nation, posing a grave threat to our national security.
Fighting the Flow of Drugs
The warning came hours after Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, citing a lack of progress in stemming the flow of drugs such as fentanyl into the US.
Mexico’s Response
Faced with mounting pressure from Trump, Mexico extradited 29 alleged drug traffickers to the US last week.
The White House had earlier accused the Mexican government of having an “intolerable alliance” with drug trafficking groups, which President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected as “slander.”
They want to make us happy. First time ever, Trump said, referring to the extradition.
But we need Mexico and Canada to do much more than they’ve done, and they have to stop the fentanyl and drugs pouring into the US.
Sovereignty and Cooperation
Sheinbaum warned the US last month that Mexico would never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty in the fight against drugs.
They can call them (the cartels) whatever they want, but with Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination or interventionism, and even less invasion, she said.
We do not negotiate sovereignty, added Sheinbaum, who last month announced the deployment of 10,000 more troops to the US-Mexico border, where cartels operate.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s vow to “wage war” on Mexico’s drug cartels has sparked a heated debate about the role of the US in combating drug trafficking and the sovereignty of Mexico in the fight against drugs.
While the US sees the cartels as a grave threat to national security, Mexico views the US’ actions as an “invasion” of its sovereignty and an attempt to dictate how it should deal with the cartels.
FAQs
Q: What is the Trump administration’s stance on Mexico’s drug cartels?
A: The Trump administration has designated several Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and has vowed to “wage war” on them.
Q: What is the Mexican government’s response to the Trump administration’s stance?
A: The Mexican government has rejected the US’ accusations of having an “intolerable alliance” with drug trafficking groups and has warned that it will never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty in the fight against drugs.
Q: What is the US’ goal in combating drug trafficking?
A: The US aims to stem the flow of drugs such as fentanyl into the country and to disrupt the operations of the cartels, which it sees as a grave threat to national security.
Q: What is the Mexican government’s goal in combating drug trafficking?
A: Mexico aims to combat drug trafficking while also protecting its national sovereignty and refusing to allow the US to dictate how it should deal with the cartels.