"Initial Training Underway...
Final Decision Yet to Be Made"
NBC News reported on November 3 (local time) that the Donald Trump administration has begun developing detailed plans to deploy U.S. military and intelligence personnel to Mexico in order to dismantle drug cartels.
According to NBC News, this information was provided by two current U.S. government officials and two former senior officials.
According to the officials, initial phase training related to potential missions-including ground operations within Mexico-has already begun. However, no final decision has been made yet, and the deployment to Mexico is not imminent.
A significant portion of the U.S. military personnel to be involved in this operation will be from the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and they will be under the direction of U.S. intelligence agencies pursuant to what is known as "Title 50." Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives are also expected to participate in the operation. Title 50 of the United States Code (USC) governs covert operations related to intelligence agencies during war and national defense. This is distinct from the provisions for overt military operations under "Title 10."
NBC explained that if an operation to deploy U.S. troops to attack drug cartels in Mexico is carried out, it would open a new front in President Trump's anti-drug military campaign in the Western Hemisphere.
The Trump administration has focused its anti-drug efforts on Venezuela, concentrating on targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels. While previous U.S. administrations have quietly sent teams from the CIA, military, and law enforcement agencies to Mexico to support local police and military units fighting drug cartels, they have not engaged in direct military action.
The four current and former government officials stated that even if the planned operation receives final approval, the Trump administration would not make it public.
A senior Trump administration official told NBC News, "The Trump administration is committed to leveraging the full capabilities of the government to respond to the threat that drug cartels pose to American citizens." The CIA declined to comment on the article, and the Department of Defense referred inquiries to the White House.
According to the four current and former government officials, U.S. troops stationed in Mexico are expected to primarily use drones to target members and leaders of drug cartels. They added that for some of the drones used by special operations forces to be effective and safe, remote pilots need to be deployed on the ground.
Previously, in April, NBC News reported that the Trump administration was considering drone strikes against drug cartels in Mexico. At that time, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, "We reject any form of intervention or interference. We have made this very clear. Mexico coordinates and cooperates, but does not subordinate itself."
According to current and former government officials, the Trump administration prefers to cooperate with the Mexican government in this new operation against drug cartels, but has not ruled out carrying out the mission without such cooperation. The administration is still discussing how forceful an approach to take in Mexico for this operation. Unlike the operation in Venezuela, the purpose of this mission is not to weaken the government of the target country.
President Sheinbaum has previously cooperated with U.S. anti-drug operations. During the previous Joe Biden administration, she authorized the expansion of CIA reconnaissance flights over Mexican airspace, deployed 10,000 troops to the Mexico-U.S. border, and handed over 55 drug cartel leaders to U.S. authorities. She also increased seizures of fentanyl. However, President Trump has publicly stated his view that the Mexican government is failing to control the drug cartels.
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