The government of U.S. President Donald Trump is planning military attacks against drug cartel facilities and leaders on Mexican territory, an expansion of its anti-narcotics operation in the Caribbean and Pacific, NBC reported Monday. The new deployment would include the sending of troops and intelligence officers to Mexico, whose training has already begun, although the start of the mission is not yet imminent, the network claims, citing statements from two active U.S. officials and two high-ranking officials with knowledge of the initiative. U.S. military high command and the White House are currently discussing the scope of the mission and have not yet made a final decision, the report indicates. According to sources, U.S. forces in Mexico would primarily use drones to dismantle drug labs and target cartel members and kingpins. The Republican leader has praised the cooperation of the Sheinbaum government in joint operations against drug trafficking on the common border. “The Trump administration is committed to using a whole-of-government approach to address the threats that cartels pose to American citizens,” a senior official told NBC in response to the reports. Unlike a possible expansion of counter-narcotics operations into Venezuelan territory, the mission planned for Mexico would aim to undermine the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, officials detailed. In February, the Trump administration designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
