Trump may use military against drug cartels: reports
The New York Times reported that Trump has directed the Pentagon to use military force against cartels deemed terrorist organisations.
The Wall Street Journal said the president had ordered options to be prepared, with the use of special forces and the provision of intelligence support under discussion, and that any action would be coordinated with foreign partners.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, while not confirming the reports, said in a statement that Trump's "top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organisations".
The United States designated Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and six other drug trafficking groups with Latin American roots as terror groups in February.
The US embassy in Mexico released a statement later on Friday, saying both countries would use "every tool at our disposal to protect our peoples" from drug trafficking groups.
However, the Mexican foreign ministry stressed that Mexico "would not accept the participation of US military forces on our territory".
Trump's administration has since added another Venezuelan gang, the Cartel of the Suns, which has allegedly shipped hundreds of tonnes of narcotics into the United States over two decades.
The United States accuses Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro of leading that cartel – an allegation Caracas has rejected as a "ridiculous smokescreen".
Trump signed an executive order on 20 January, his first day back in the White House, creating a process for the designation of the cartels, which he said "constitute a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organised crime".
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Thursday interview with EWTN that the designations allow "us to now target what they're operating and to use other elements of American power, intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, whatever – to target these groups".
"We have to start treating them as armed terrorist organisations, not simply drug dealing organisations," Rubio said. "It's no longer a law enforcement issue. It becomes a national security issue."
Trump vowed in March to "wage war" on Mexico's drug cartels, which he accused of rape and murder.
His Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum, following reports of potential US military action against cartels, insisted on Friday that there would be "no invasion" of her country.
Sheinbaum has made strenuous efforts to show Trump she is acting against Mexico's cartels, whom he accuses of flooding the United States with drugs, particularly fentanyl.
"We are cooperating, we are collaborating, but there will be no invasion. That is absolutely ruled out," she said.
Sheinbaum has been dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for repeatedly securing reprieves from his threats of stiff tariffs over the smuggling of drugs and migrants across their shared border.
- AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
European leaders push for pressure on Russia before Trump-Putin summit
KYIV: European leaders called for more pressure on Russia ahead of a planned summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The meeting, set for Alaska this Friday, aims to resolve the Ukraine war but has raised concerns over potential territorial concessions. Trump hinted at possible land swaps but provided no details, sparking unease among Kyiv and its allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected surrendering land, stating, 'Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.' He stressed that any peace deal excluding Ukraine would undermine stability. In a joint statement, European leaders emphasised diplomacy, support for Ukraine, and pressure on Russia as essential for peace. The statement was signed by leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, Finland, and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. They insisted negotiations must begin from the current frontline and safeguard Ukraine's security interests. National security advisors from key allies, including the US and EU, met in Britain to align strategies before the summit. French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that Ukraine's future must involve Ukrainians and European participation. Zelensky, in his address, demanded an 'honest end' to the war, placing responsibility on Russia to cease hostilities. Previous talks between Russia and Ukraine have failed, prolonging a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Putin has refused direct talks with Zelensky, complicating peace efforts. The Alaska summit marks the first meeting between sitting US and Russian presidents since 2021. Zelensky noted the location's distance from the war, calling it symbolic yet detached from Ukraine's suffering. The Kremlin defended the choice, citing shared economic interests in the Arctic region. Russia has invited Trump for a reciprocal visit, signalling potential further engagement. Meanwhile, fighting continues, with drone strikes and civilian casualties reported in Kherson. Russian forces claimed advances in Donetsk, a region Moscow illegally annexed in 2022. Kyiv remains firm in rejecting Russian territorial claims but acknowledges diplomacy as the path to reclaim lost land. - AFP
Herald Malaysia
a minute ago
- Herald Malaysia
Armenia and Azerbaijan sign 'milestone' peace deal
Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a peace deal at the White House that aims to end decades of armed conflict that killed tens of thousands, and led to the expulsion of more than 100,000 Armenians from the disputed territory of Karabakh. Aug 10, 2025 US president hosts leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace summit (ANSA) By Stefan J. BosFor nearly four decades, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought for control of the Karabakh region, known internationally as Nagorno-Karabakh. The two nations battled for control of the region, with multiple violent clashes that left tens of thousands of people dead. Azerbaijan reclaimed all of the territory in 2023 in an attack that forced more than 100,000 Armenians, who comprised about 99 percent of the population, to flee. 'A miracle' The late Pope Francis constantly advocated for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Yesterday, President Trump brought the sides together while speaking of a new beginning. Trump said: 'It's a long time, 35 years. They fought and now they're friends, and they're gonna be friends for a long time. The countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan are committing to stop all fighting forever, open up commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations, and respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The two countries in the South Caucasus signed agreements with each other and the U.S. that will reopen key transportation routes. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said he has agreed with Armenia to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the deal a 'miracle'. 'Significant milestone' Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke of a historic moment in the relationship between the two countries. 'Today, we have reached a significant milestone in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations by laying a foundation to write a better story than the one we had in the past. This is a success for our countries and for our region, and a success for the world because a more peaceful region means a safer world. This is peace through strength,' the Armenian prime minister stressed. Negotiations will now begin over who will develop the new trade routes, including a rail line, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic lines. Officials say at least nine developers have already expressed interest in turning what was once a bloodstained region into an arena of prosperity and peace.--Vatican News
The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
US tariffs a wake-up call for smarter trade for India
STARTING this month, American consumers shopping for Indian goods and Indian exporters shipping to the United States will feel the sting of a new 25% tariff slapped by the Trump administration, on top of an earlier 25%. In a move framed as protecting domestic manufacturing, Washington's latest trade salvo imposes up to 50% duties on a range of Indian exports – including on certain textiles, auto components and categories like generic pharmaceuticals and machinery parts. But while headlines focus on diplomatic retaliation and political posturing, the real story here is about consumers, on both sides of the trade wall. Whether it is a small apparel brand in Gujarat, a turmeric exporter in Erode, or a US importer sourcing affordable generics from Hyderabad, this tariff hike doesn't just punish trade, it punishes choice. Instead of a knee-jerk reaction, India should treat this moment as a strategic wake-up call. The global trading order is shifting fast. Protectionism is making a comeback under the 'national interest' banner, but everyday people bear its actual cost. Consumers pay more, get less, and lose access to innovation. Take the example of Indian pharma. The US relies on India for 40% of its affordable and high-quality generic medicines, a lifeline that keeps drug prices affordable for millions. With tariffs, those prices could spike, leaving American consumers and insurers to pay significantly more for basic medicines. That's bad business for both sides. Or consider Indian textile SMEs that export cotton garments to US retailers. These businesses already operate on razor-thin profit margins. Tariffs could render them uncompetitive overnight, leading to lost orders, layoffs, and reduced production. And American retailers won't absorb the shock; they'll pass it down to consumers through higher prices. This is the domino effect of protectionism: fewer options, higher prices, and stalled innovation. That's bad news for anyone who cares about affordability and variety, whether buying shoes in Chicago or selling saris in Surat. Rather than retaliating with blanket duties on US imports, India should seize the moment to make its economy more open, competitive, and consumer-friendly. — AFP The solution, however, is not to mirror America's tariff war with one of our own. Rather than retaliating with blanket duties on US imports, India should seize the moment to make its economy more open, competitive, and consumer-friendly. That means lowering our import tariffs, especially on consumer goods where global competition drives better quality and prices. It means signing trade deals that aren't just about political alliances but about securing cheaper medicines, cutting-edge tech, and better value for Indian consumers. It means slashing red tape at customs so Indian exporters can survive, not just US tariffs, but future global disruptions. Most importantly, it means putting consumer welfare at the heart of our trade policy – not treating it as a side effect. If the cost of a trade war is higher prices, fewer choices, and shrinking markets, the goal of trade reform must be the opposite: greater access, lower prices, and more freedom to choose. India has long spoken about becoming a global manufacturing hub. However, that ambition will remain half-baked unless we build an economy where producers and consumers benefit from openness, not protectionism. Trump's tariff bombshell is a challenge, but also an opportunity. Instead of playing defence, it is time India went on offence, with policies that protect not just producers, but also the millions of consumers who stand to gain from a freer, fairer global marketplace. Shrey Madaan is an Indian Policy Fellow with the Consumer Choice Center.
