U.S. President Donald Trump has made statements regarding potential military actions in Venezuela and offers of assistance to Mexico to address cartel activity. These remarks followed a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of its then-President, Nicolás Maduro. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated her rejection of U.S. military intervention within Mexico, while also highlighting her country's progress against cartels through joint cooperation.
President Trump's Statements on Venezuela and Mexico
President Trump indicated the United States remains prepared for further military action in Venezuela. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he stated, "We were prepared to do a second strike if needed, we’re totally prepared, we’re still prepared. It’s not [off the table], if they don’t behave, we will do a second strike." These comments connect to a prior U.S. operation in Venezuela.
Regarding Mexico, President Trump urged the nation to manage what he described as cartel activity "pouring" through the country. He reiterated an offer to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to deploy American troops on Mexican territory. Trump stated, "We’re going to have to do something, we’d love for Mexico to do it, they’re capable of doing it, but unfortunately the cartels are very strong in Mexico." He also remarked on President Sheinbaum, stating, "I like Claudia, I think she’s a terrific person, I’d say every time I speak to her, I offer to send troops … she’s considering [the offer], she’s a little concerned, a little afraid, the cartels are running Mexico."
Trump further indicated that the U.S. military could initiate land strikes against drug cartels in Mexico, stating, "We've knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water. And we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels." He had previously discussed this possibility in November, stating, "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs."
Context of U.S. Operations and Policy
These recent discussions follow a U.S. military operation in Venezuela less than a week prior, which resulted in the capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Venezuelan government reported over 100 fatalities in this operation, which concluded a month-long pressure campaign against Maduro.
The Trump administration has a record of military actions against illicit drug trafficking, having conducted 35 documented strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean, reportedly leading to 115 deaths. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly commented on the administration's policy, stating it is "reasserting and enforcing the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, control migration, and stop drug trafficking." Kelly added that the President has various options to protect the U.S. from illicit narcotics.
Mexico's Response and Reaffirmation of Sovereignty
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has consistently rejected the idea of U.S. military action within Mexico without her authorization. She recently criticized the U.S. capture of Maduro and reaffirmed Mexico's national sovereignty, stating, "It is necessary to reaffirm that in Mexico the people rule, and that we are a free and sovereign country— cooperation, yes; subordination and intervention, no."
On Friday, following President Trump's statements about potential land strikes, President Sheinbaum asserted that Mexico's efforts to address cartels and slow migration northward were yielding "compelling results." She mentioned a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente, where both agreed "more must be done to confront shared threats."
During her press briefing, Sheinbaum cited a decline in the homicide rate, reduced fentanyl seizures by U.S. authorities at the border, and sparse migration as evidence of significant progress in cracking down on cartels. She emphasized these were joint efforts with the U.S., stating, "There are very compelling results from the joint cooperation and the work that Mexico has been doing."
Sheinbaum also reiterated her call for the United States to address arms trafficking into Mexico and emphasized drug use in the U.S. as a key factor contributing to cartel violence in Mexico. She stated, "The other side also has to do its part. This consumption crisis they have over there also has to be addressed from a public health perspective, through education campaigns." She confirmed a phone conversation with President Trump on Monday, during which she again informed him that U.S. intervention in Mexico was unnecessary.
Regional Concerns
The January U.S. operation in Venezuela prompted concerns across Latin America, leading to speculation that similar actions could be directed towards other nations in the region, including Cuba and Mexico.