Reports have surfaced suggesting that former President Donald J. Trump is considering a drastic measure to combat America’s fentanyl crisis: sending US assassination squads into Mexico to target drug cartel leaders. While Trump has publicly vowed to confront the criminal gangs behind the crisis, the specifics of his plan remain undisclosed.
According to Rolling Stone magazine, Trump’s allies claim that he has privately endorsed covert missions involving special-operations units tasked with assassinating drug lords, with or without the Mexican government’s consent. Despite not finalizing details such as troop deployment numbers, Trump reportedly believes that US military forces possess the capabilities necessary to take down cartel leaders.
Drawing parallels to his administration’s raid on Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019, Trump allegedly advocated for a “kill list of drug lords” to be targeted by US special forces. However, Trump’s spokesperson did not respond to Rolling Stone’s requests for comment on the matter.
On the campaign trail, Trump hinted at utilizing Special Forces and cyber warfare to disrupt cartel operations, echoing his previous consideration of missile strikes on cartel drug labs. This approach has found favor among some Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Senators Lindsey Graham and John Neely Kennedy, who supported legislation empowering military action against cartels.
However, Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has vehemently opposed such interventions, labeling them as infringements on Mexico’s sovereignty. Mark Milley also opposed Trump’s proposals.