Trump suggests U.S. military will hit cartels in Mexico on land
(COMBO) This combination of photos created on December 17, 2025, shows Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaking at the daily press conference at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on November 28, 2025, and U.S. President Donald Trump watching the presentation of the Mexican Border Defense Medal in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Yuri Cortez | Afp | Getty Images
President Donald Trump suggested in a new interview that the U.S. military could launch ground attacks on drug cartels in Mexico.
“We have neutralized 97% of the drugs coming through water. Regarding the cartels, we will now start to hit the ground.” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity: in an interview aired Thursday night.
“The cartels rule Mexico, it’s very sad to watch and see what’s happening to this country,” Trump said.
Trump’s comment came less than a week after US forces struck Venezuela and captured authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The Venezuelan government said more than 100 people were killed in a military operation that followed a months-long pressure campaign against Maduro.
It was stated that the Trump administration carried out 35 attacks on ships allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and killed 115 people. New York Times.
When asked by CNBC about Trump’s comment on Fox News, a White House spokesperson said in an email: “The administration is reasserting and enforcing the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, control immigration, and stop drug trafficking.”
“The president has many options to continue protecting our homeland from illegal drugs that kill tens of thousands of Americans each year,” spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
Trump had previously floated the idea of launching an attack on Mexico.
“Would I start a strike in Mexico to stop the drugs? That’s fine with me, we have to do whatever we have to do to stop the drugs.” Trump told reporters When asked in the Oval Office in November whether he would consider military action on the southern border.
Thereupon, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum opposed Trump, saying that no US military action would be taken against Mexico without Trump’s permission.
This week, Sheinbaum condemned the US takeover of Maduro and reaffirmed his country’s sovereignty.
Sheinbaum said, “It is necessary to reaffirm that the people rule in Mexico, that we are a free and sovereign country; cooperation yes; obedience and interference no.” he said. According to Reuters.
The Trump administration also threatened military action in Cuba, Colombia and Greenland last week, sparking outrage even among congressional Republicans.
The Senate on Thursday passed the first phase of the measure blocking Trump from further military action in Venezuela.
Five Senate Republicans voted in favor of the measure, known as the War Powers Resolution, showing that the resolution has enough bipartisan support for a final vote.
One of those Republicans, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, said she supports Trump removing Maduro. But he also said further steps would require congressional approval.
“When the president raises the issue of using military force, not just in Venezuela but as in Greenland, he is implicating the War Powers Act and the constitutional role of Congress,” Collins said.
Correction: Cilia Flores is Nicolás Maduro’s wife. An earlier version had his name misspelled.
