Will Trump Label Mexican Cartels as Terrorists and Strike with US Military?
Trump’s plan to label cartels as terrorists raises concerns over potential military action in Mexico
Trump, Mexican Cartels, Military Action, Mexico, Fentanyl Crisis
El Paso: So, Trump is thinking about labeling Mexican cartels as terrorists. It’s a big deal, right? He believes this could help tackle the fentanyl crisis in the U.S.
But here’s the kicker: experts say this designation might not really give the U.S. any new tools to fight organized crime. It could just pressure Mexico to step up its game.
Some folks are worried this could lead to U.S. military strikes in Mexico. Trump has even hinted at bombing drug labs and sending special forces after cartel leaders.
Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, said it’s crucial to call these cartels what they are. He claims they’re terrorizing America with drugs and mass migration.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, isn’t having it. She flat-out rejected the idea, saying Mexico is a sovereign nation and won’t accept interference.
Back in 2019, Trump thought about this after a tragic incident where nine U.S. citizens were killed in Mexico. But he backed off then, respecting the previous president’s wishes.
Now, if the cartels get labeled as foreign terrorist organizations, it could widen the net for who can be targeted. This includes anyone providing support to the cartels, which could mean a lot of different things.
While this designation wouldn’t automatically mean military action, it could set the stage for it. Some experts think drone strikes might be more likely than sending troops in.
Calls for military intervention remind us of Mexico’s own war on drugs, which started back in 2006. That didn’t really solve the problem and just led to more violence.
If Trump goes ahead with this plan, it could really sour relations with Mexico right from the start. There are a lot of issues on the table, like migration and trade agreements.
Calderón, an expert on the matter, believes that cutting off the cartels’ resources and reducing arms trafficking could be more effective than military action. After all, these cartels are businesses at the end of the day.