Washington, Nov 18 (V7N) — U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Mexico could be the next target of American military action following recent strikes in Venezuela. However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any such move. The development was reported by Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Monday (November 17) that Washington had “discussed attacking Mexico to stop drug trafficking.”
“I spoke to Mexico — they know what I think,” he said.

Claiming that “millions” of Americans are dying due to drugs, Trump said the U.S. has successfully intercepted sea routes but other trafficking channels remain active. He did not elaborate on when or how an attack might be conducted.

Mexico Rejects Any U.S. Intervention

President Sheinbaum made it clear that she would not support any foreign military action on Mexican soil.
But analysts warn that Mexico’s objections may not deter Trump.

“Trump doesn’t usually follow international law or diplomatic protocol,” said Jeff Germani, associate professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Melbourne, speaking to Al Jazeera. He added that Trump could carry out a strike without Mexico’s permission if he chose to.

U.S. Planning Joint Intelligence Operations

Two weeks earlier, NBC News reported that the U.S. was preparing a joint intelligence mission in Mexico, potentially involving drone strikes on cartel drug labs and operatives.
Trump hinted at this again on Monday: “We know every route, every drug lord’s address.”

He described the drug crisis as “like war”, blaming cartels for killing Americans with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Experts Say Strike Would Change Little

Germani noted that Mexico’s cartels rank among the world’s most powerful criminal organizations, warning that a limited U.S. strike would amount to little more than a “public relations stunt.”

He pointed out that Mexico itself has been fighting a drug war for nearly 20 years, yet cartel operations remain deeply entrenched.

Growing International Concern

Since taking office in January, Trump has used executive orders and legal loopholes to authorize military actions without Congress. By designating six drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, he is framing military strikes as national security operations.

International human rights groups, however, have condemned the U.S. operations as “genocidal”, particularly ambush-style attacks on vessels in the Caribbean.

According to the White House, at least 20 military operations have been conducted across the Caribbean and Pacific since September, leaving more than 80 people dead.
The administration has yet to present public evidence linking these deaths to major cartels such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua.

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