Trump Will Launch “Ground Attacks” Against Mexican Cartels
The announcement that Trump will attack Mexican cartels opens a scenario of tension with Mexico, as the Mexican president defends sovereignty.
- United States to Begin “Ground” Attacks Against Mexican Drug Cartels, Trump Says
- President Claims Cartels Control Mexico and Threaten US National Security
- Mexican Government Rejects Military Intervention and Defends Sovereignty
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, increased pressure on drug trafficking by stating that his country will begin “ground attacks” against Mexican cartels.
The remarks, made during an interview with Fox News, reinforce the hardline policy that has defined his second term and open a new phase of tension with Mexico, according to EFE.
Trump Will Attack Mexican Cartels With Ground Operations
During the interview, Trump was blunt in stating that the United States will begin to “attack on the ground” drug cartels.
The president argued that these criminal organizations not only traffic drugs but, in his words, “are running Mexico.”
🇺🇸🇲🇽 | BREAKING: Donald Trump: “We’re going to start attacking the cartels head-on. The cartels run Mexico.” pic.twitter.com/dU72qmam3u
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) January 9, 2026
Trump described the situation as “very sad” and claimed that cartels are responsible for the deaths of between 250,000 and 300,000 people each year in the United States.
In his remarks, he directly linked those figures to drug trafficking—particularly fentanyl—originating from Mexican territory.
Since the start of his second term, Trump has repeatedly said he will combat drug trafficking with more aggressive measures and will not rule out using the US military if he believes national security is at risk.
Immediate Precedent: The Military Operation in Venezuela
Trump’s statements come just days after Washington carried out a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro.
That operation involved bombings in Caracas and three neighboring states, before Maduro was transferred to New York to face charges related to narco-terrorism.
This precedent reinforces the perception that the White House is willing to act beyond US borders when it perceives direct threats. For many observers, the Venezuelan case serves as a warning of how far the United States could go in other scenarios.
US Attacks in Mexico and the Stance of Claudia Sheinbaum
The possibility of US attacks in Mexico has been firmly rejected by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
She has insisted that Mexico is a sovereign nation and that her government is committed to peaceful solutions in addressing violence and drug trafficking.
Sheinbaum has declined Trump’s proposals to allow US troops into Mexico, emphasizing that any cooperation must respect national sovereignty and avoid military escalation.
Despite this, Trump has insisted that “something has to be done with Mexico” and stated that the country “needs to get organized” to stop the flow of drugs into the United States.
▶️ Context: “We’re going to start attacking the cartels on the ground. The cartels control Mexico,” Trump says, as analyst Víctor Hugo Michel examines the remarks.
— Milenio Televisión (@mileniotv) January 9, 2026
While acknowledging that Mexico is capable of confronting the problem, Trump also said the cartels are “very strong,” which, according to him, limits the Mexican state’s ability to act.
An Ambiguous Message Toward the Mexican Government
Last Sunday, Trump publicly praised Sheinbaum but simultaneously claimed that the president “is worried” and “a little afraid” of the power wielded by the cartels.
This ambiguous message combines personal recognition with a narrative that could be used to justify unilateral U.S. action.
The rhetoric has raised concerns in Mexico and across the region, where governments are closely watching whether the U.S. president’s words will translate into concrete actions.
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Expectations Within the Mexican Community in the United States
For Mexican and Mexican American families, the announcement has sparked concern.
The prospect of “ground” military operations raises fears of escalation, humanitarian consequences, and heightened bilateral tension.
It also raises questions about migration, border security, and the potential impact such a confrontation could have on communities with family and economic ties on both sides of the border.
What Comes Next
As Trump insists that he will attack Mexican cartels, members of his cabinet have reiterated that Washington will not hesitate to use military power to defend US national security against what it considers a direct threat.
For now, the announcement leaves an open-ended scenario marked by uncertainty, the Mexican government’s rejection, and a region watching cautiously for the next steps of the US administration.
So far, no specific dates, scope, or conditions for these potential operations have been detailed.
Key Question: Do you agree that the US should attack cartels in Mexico?
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