US President Donald Trump said in an interview Thursday night that the US is about to launch a ground operation against drug cartels in Mexico. He said that drug traffickers control Mexico and that 300,000 people in the US die from drug abuse each year.
Success on sea routes, now focus on land route
Trump claimed that the US has been successful in stopping 97 percent of drugs coming in by sea. Now his focus will be on land routes for drug trafficking. “The cartels are running Mexico, and that’s very sad,” Trump said.
Venezuela also accused
Trump accused Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his government of protecting drug cartels and smuggling drugs into the United States. Recently, the United States conducted an operation in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and detained Maduro and his wife. They are currently being tried in New York under US law.
Mexico tries to show action
Mexico recently presented figures showing a 40% reduction in murders, attempting to demonstrate to the Trump administration that the country is taking effective action against crime. But Trump’s threat of a ground crackdown makes it clear that the US plans to take a more stringent stance on the issue.
President Sheinbaum’s reply
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico will not accept any form of foreign military action. She clarified that security cooperation will only occur if it respects the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sheinbaum reiterated that international cooperation against drug trafficking and organized crime is essential, but it must be based on equality and mutual respect.