Trump Signals He’s Open to Military Strikes Inside Mexico to Crush Drug Cartels
President Donald Trump said Monday that he’s “OK” with launching targeted strikes inside of Mexico to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, signaling a dramatic escalation in his administration’s war on narco-terrorism.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump responded to a question about whether his administration’s recent naval strikes in the Caribbean could expand to include ground operations on foreign soil—specifically against drug traffickers operating in Mexico and beyond.
“Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? That’s okay with me,” Trump said. “Whatever we have to do to stop drugs. I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There’s some big problems over there.”
Trump made clear he would not commit to seeking permission from Mexico before launching a strike. “I wouldn’t answer that question,” he said when pressed. “I’ve been speaking to Mexico. They know how I stand.”
“We’ve lost hundreds of thousands of people to drugs,” he continued. “We’ve stopped the waterways. We know every route. We know the addresses of every drug lord. We know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. They’re killing our people. That’s like a war.”
.@POTUS: “We have lost hundreds of thousands of people a year… and much of it comes through Mexico. So, let me just put it this way — I am NOT happy with Mexico.” pic.twitter.com/MzvJreOuEM
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 17, 2025
The president said he would be “proud” to authorize strikes on cartel operations inside Mexico and hinted that he’d “probably” seek congressional approval before taking such action, though he left the door open to moving without it. Trump also floated the possibility of targeting cocaine production sites in Colombia, expanding the scope of U.S. military action against international drug syndicates.
The Trump administration has already launched 11 deadly strikes in the Caribbean Sea over the past two months, killing more than 80 suspected traffickers at sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has overseen the operations, which target vessels tied to designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Despite pushback from Democrats—and even some Republicans—over the legality of the maritime strikes, the White House has pointed to their effectiveness: U.S. intelligence estimates suggest that up to 85% of cartel smuggling operations through international waters have been disrupted since the airstrikes began.
Still, land-based smuggling remains the bigger challenge. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the majority of fentanyl entering the U.S. is trafficked by vehicle across the southern border, primarily through official ports of entry. Much of it comes from Mexico, with precursors supplied by China.
That’s why Trump appears ready to bring the fight to the cartels’ doorstep. But the Mexican government has issued stern warnings against any unilateral action.
“We reject any form of intervention or interference,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared in April. “Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself.”
Despite those warnings, the Trump administration is actively exploring the possibility of drone strikes and tactical operations within Mexico, according to NBC News. Six Mexican cartels were formally designated as FTOs just weeks into Trump’s second term—paving the legal groundwork for future military action under U.S. counterterrorism law.
With overdose deaths still claiming tens of thousands of American lives each year, Trump has made clear: the era of restraint is over. And if cartels continue to flood U.S. streets with poison, they may soon face consequences at home, whether foreign leaders approve or not.