U.S. May Deploy Mexican-American Troops Against Cartels

Mexico City, Mexico — High-ranking generals within Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) are speculating that the Pentagon is advancing plans to form an operative force composed of Mexican-American soldiers tasked with conducting operations against drug cartels on Mexican soil.

A Feasible Strategy Due to High Mexican Recruitment in U.S. Military

The theory circulating among Sedena’s leadership suggests that the recent appearance of an unmanned U.S. aircraft over the State of Mexico (Edomex) was a test to gauge public reaction before deploying more significant military operations. Officials believe the Pentagon is considering assembling a specialized unit of Mexican-origin personnel to combat narcotrafficking within Mexico.

This hypothesis is considered plausible due to the substantial percentage of Mexican soldiers serving in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and other elite units. Sedena views this as a strategic shortcut—similar to the drone incident—where equipment and personnel are controlled from the U.S. but operate under the administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Concerns Over Foreign Intervention and Collateral Damage

A critical concern for Mexican military leaders is the potential for foreign involvement in civilian affairs. Past U.S. military interventions have been marked by collateral damage, raising fears that such operations could destabilize Mexico’s sovereignty.

The Pentagon is reportedly discussing these plans with Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch. Notably, the National Guard has been excluded from these discussions, as the U.S. does not yet consider it capable of handling a direct confrontation with cartels.

García Harfuch’s Rising Influence and Policy Shifts

García Harfuch’s growing influence within Mexico’s security apparatus has been evident. Recent security statistics validating his strategies have sparked debates about his political trajectory. Shortly after the announcement of declining homicide rates, García Harfuch reassigned fuel supply oversight from Sedena to Pemex Logística, further consolidating his authority.

Meanwhile, supporters of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) have remained silent on these developments, even as García Harfuch dismantles previous security policies.

Trump’s Hardline Stance on Cartels

These speculations follow reports from U.S. media on August 9, revealing President Donald Trump’s plans to intensify military action against Latin American cartels designated as “terrorist” organizations.

On August 11, Trump confirmed, “We want to protect our country,” referencing his administration’s efforts to combat narcotrafficking, particularly the synthetic opioid fentanyl. In February, his administration labeled eight Latin American criminal groups—including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and the MS-13 gang—as “global terrorist organizations.” In July, Venezuela’s Cártel de los Soles, allegedly led by President Nicolás Maduro, was added to the list.

Trump reiterated his stance during a meeting with Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, stating, “We love this country as they love theirs. We have to protect it.” While he provided no specifics, U.S. media reports suggest he has secretly authorized military force against these cartels.

Mexico’s Firm Rejection of U.S. Military Intervention

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed the possibility of U.S. military intervention, stating, “There will be no invasion. That is absolutely ruled out.” She emphasized cooperation but reiterated that foreign military presence on Mexican soil is prohibited.

Mexico’s Foreign Ministry later reinforced this position, declaring that the country “will not accept the participation of U.S. military forces” within its territory. This statement came in response to a U.S. Embassy post affirming both nations’ commitment to combating narcotrafficking as “sovereign allies.”

U.S. Designation of Cartels as Terrorist Entities

The “global terrorist” designation enables the U.S. to deploy intelligence and military resources against these groups. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “We must start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not just drug trafficking groups.” He emphasized that narcotrafficking is now a national security issue.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration increased the bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of “narco-terrorism” and collaboration with groups like the Sinaloa Cartel. Venezuela dismissed these allegations as a “smokescreen.”