The U.S. president claimed the country was being run by cartels
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he could order strikes against drug cartels on Mexican territory.
He revived the threats against America’s southern neighbor after U.S. commandos abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a swift raid on his Caracas compound last week. The U.S. government accused Maduro of drug trafficking, a claim he has denied.
Trump has also accused Mexico of “flooding” the U.S. with drugs and illegal immigrants, many of whom he has described as violent criminals. Since September 2025, the U.S. has struck at least 35 alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean.
“We’ve taken out 97% of the drugs coming in by water, and we’re now going to start hitting cartels on land,” Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday night.
“The cartels are running Mexico. It’s extremely sad to see what’s happened to that country,” Trump said.
Speaking at a Friday press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum downplayed Trump’s rhetoric as “part of his communication style.” She added that she had instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to speak with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and, “if necessary, with Trump to boost coordination.”
Last week, the Mexican Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. military raid in Venezuela as “a serious threat to regional stability.”
After Maduro’s abduction, Trump also traded insults with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he called a “sick man.” The leaders spoke by phone Wednesday to defuse tensions, with both describing the conversation as cordial.