Donald Trump is threatening to send American troops into Mexico if the country does not give him what he wants.
According to officials who spoke to Rolling Stone, the White House has already authorized the Pentagon to prepare for military action against Latin American drug cartels. The plan could break international law and violate Mexico’s sovereignty.
One senior administration official made it clear. “It’s not a negotiating tactic. It’s not Art of the Deal. The president has been clear that a strike is coming unless we see some big, major changes.” That is the kind of language normally used before a war, not with a neighbor and trading partner.
Trump has wanted this for years. He and many Republican leaders have long talked about the idea of invading Mexico. They claim it is about stopping fentanyl and drug trafficking. Earlier this year, Trump told reporters that sending U.S. special forces across the border “could happen.” Now, it sounds like he is ready to go ahead.
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Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has refused to simply bow to Trump’s pressure. Last week, she rejected his plan to send U.S. troops into her country. But a few days later, Mexico extradited 26 alleged cartel members to the United States, including leaders of some of the biggest gangs. Attorney General Pam Bondi called it “historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations.”
People who watch cartel activity told Rolling Stone that Mexico’s actions were likely an attempt to avoid a U.S. attack and keep trade talks alive. The two countries are in the middle of negotiating a new trade agreement.
Trump has been using trade as another weapon in this standoff. He already threatened Mexico with a massive 30% tariff on goods. That tariff is on hold for now after Trump and Sheinbaum agreed to delay it for 90 days. But everyone knows the clock is ticking.
The truth is, trade talks between countries are slow and complicated. U.S. officials say it often takes about 18 months to finish a new agreement. It involves reviewing past trade records, going through thousands of product categories, and digging into every small rule about imports and exports. That is a long way from being finished.
This means the danger of Trump launching military action will not go away soon. It hangs over every meeting and every press statement. It is also a dangerous way to treat a U.S. ally. Mexico is not an enemy. It is a country that shares a border, culture, and billions of dollars in trade with the United States.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
