WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump opened the door Monday to launch US strikes in Mexico, a move that would be a dramatic escalation in his administration's fight against drug cartels.
Speaking to reporters in Oval OfficeTrump responded to a question about potentially striking Mexico or sending U.S. troops or other personnel to the country by saying, “I'm comfortable with that.”
“Would I start strikes in Mexico to stop the drugs? I agree with whatever we do to stop the drugs. Mexico – look, I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There are some big problems there,” Trump said after being asked if he would consider such action.
Asked whether he would carry out strikes only with Mexico's permission, Trump said he “won't answer that question.” He added that he had spoken to the country, adding that Mexico knows “where I stand.”
“We've shut down the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the address of every drug lord,” Trump said. “We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about each of them. They're killing our people. It's like war. Would I do that? I'd be proud.”
The Mexican Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NBC News reported this month that the Trump administration has begun planning a new campaign in which the United States will send American troops and intelligence officers to Mexico to fight drug cartels. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said repeatedly US military action in Mexico will not take place without its permission.
Midway through answering a question about Mexico, Trump turned to Colombia, saying he would be “proud” to dismantle the country's cocaine factories.
“No one comes to our southern border, but we know exactly how they get their stuff here. How they get drugs here. Fentanyl, cocaine,” Trump said. “There are cocaine factories in Colombia where they produce cocaine. Would I destroy those factories? Personally, I would be proud to do that.”
The Colombian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on Trump's remarks.
The Trump administration carried out nearly two dozen strikes on suspected drug vessels in the region and near Venezuela, killing more than 80 people, including Colombians.
The strikes prompted Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro to condemn the Trump administration's actions and subsequent resolution. diplomatic rift between Peter and Trump. Trump called Peter a “drug leader” and the United States took the unusual step of sanctioning him.
Trump said on Sunday he was looking at talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid a U.S. decision to increase pressure in the region, including by designating the Cartel de los Soles, which the administration says is run by Maduro, a foreign terrorist organization.
Asked Monday in the Oval Office whether he would rule out sending troops to Venezuela, Trump responded in the negative.
“I'm not ruling anything out. We just need to take care of Venezuela,” he said.
