The administration of the American president Donald Trump is studying the possibility of using military means to fight drug cartels, several US officials said Friday. This consideration comes amid persistent violence linked to drug trafficking, particularly in Mexico, where certain regions such as Culiacán are experiencing a surge in homicides and a weakening economy following the extradition of criminal leaders.
According to Republican Senator Marco Rubio, the United States has the legal framework to mobilize its armed forces and intelligence services against these organizations, which he describes as a direct threat to national security. According to a source familiar with the matter, the US Navy could be tasked with conducting counter-drug operations on the high seas, with the aim of disrupting the cartels' supply chains.
However, another US official tempered these statements, saying that no military action was imminent. The discussions, still at an early stage, cover a range of options from increased surveillance capabilities to targeted paramilitary-style actions.
This possible development marks a hardening of Washington's stance on drug trafficking, an issue that has fueled political debate in the United States for several months. For the executive branch, it is a response to both the rise in violence south of the border and the opioid crisis gripping the country.
