President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on the Mexican government to allow U.S. military forces to take a leading role in the fight against deadly drug cartels that continue to pour fentanyl and other narcotics across the southern border and into American communities.
In a high-stakes phone call on April 16 with newly elected Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump made the case for direct U.S. military involvement in cartel eradication efforts—emphasizing that the current approach is failing to stem the flow of drugs or dismantle the criminal empires operating with impunity in northern Mexico.
While Sheinbaum refused to allow a formal U.S. military presence inside Mexican territory, citing national sovereignty, she signaled a willingness to continue limited intelligence-sharing efforts. Trump, however, made it clear that the crisis has escalated to a level that demands stronger and more immediate action.
The Trump administration has already designated major cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, opening the door for more aggressive legal and military action. Trump has publicly floated the idea of precision drone strikes against cartel leadership and infrastructure—sending a message that the United States will no longer tolerate the slow-walked strategies that have allowed drug trafficking networks to thrive.
Over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, with fentanyl accounting for a staggering percentage. Trump has repeatedly warned that the cartels are effectively waging chemical warfare on the American people—and that inaction is no longer an option.
Despite Mexico deploying 10,000 of its own troops to cartel hotspots and cooperating on a handful of extraditions, U.S. officials remain skeptical that the Mexican government is either willing or capable of defeating these well-armed, well-funded criminal syndicates without American support.
Critics of military involvement cite concerns about diplomatic fallout, but Trump allies argue that the cost of inaction is far greater. With fentanyl deaths soaring and cartel violence spilling over the border, the administration believes bold, unilateral action may be the only path forward.
“The cartels are slaughtering Americans,” said one senior official. “They’ve declared war on us—and President Trump is prepared to respond accordingly.”
While Mexico continues to resist deeper cooperation, Trump has vowed to keep the pressure on and to use every tool at his disposal to shut down cartel operations—whether Mexico likes it or not.