The Trump administration has issued directives for the U.S. military to develop plans for lethal operations targeting Mexican drug cartels, according to investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein’s reporting.
These plans, initiated in late spring 2025, involve Northern Command (NORTHCOM) preparing strike options by mid-September.
Military sources indicate the focus is on transnational criminal organizations, particularly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.
President Trump designated these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations early in his term, enabling broader national security responses.
The State Department formally labeled groups like Cartel de Sinaloa and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in February 2025.
This classification aligns with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s view that cartels should be treated as armed terrorist entities rather than mere drug traffickers.
U.S.-Mexico military relations remain cooperative, with ongoing joint training and intelligence sharing. However, any unilateral U.S. action inside Mexico raises sovereignty concerns for both governments.
High-level meetings, including a July 2025 session at NORTHCOM headquarters, emphasized the need for coordinated responses to shared threats.
NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Gregory M. Guillot highlighted in February 2025 congressional testimony that cartels pose a direct threat to U.S. sovereignty through drug trafficking and migration facilitation.
He noted increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts approved by the Department of Defense. Guillot also stressed closer operational compatibility between U.S. and Mexican forces than ever before.
The CIA has expanded drone reconnaissance over Mexico to identify fentanyl production sites, supporting the administration’s anti-cartel campaign.
Previous operations in Mexico involved the Joint Special Operations Command for targeted actions. Now, NORTHCOM’s Special Operations Command North is preparing target packages for potential air, drone, or ground strikes against high-value cartel assets.
Fentanyl trafficking by these cartels has contributed to a severe public health crisis in the United States. Provisional data show over 82,000 drug overdose deaths in the 12 months ending January 2025, following a dip to about 80,400 in 2024.
The intelligence community’s March 2025 threat assessment identified Western Hemisphere-based transnational criminal organizations as the most immediate danger to American security.
In April 2025 testimony, Gen. Guillot acknowledged that fentanyl-related deaths have not decreased significantly despite enhanced intelligence foundations. He requested more ISR resources and expanded authorities for advise-and-assist operations with elite Mexican units.
Mexico’s government has permitted limited U.S. special forces training, such as deployments in early 2025 for counter-cartel preparation. Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Colby Jenkins described these efforts as vital to denying cartels their objectives. Despite this, full approval for U.S. military strikes remains uncertain due to political sensitivities.
The administration views cartel activities as an invasion threat, justifying preparations similar to post-9/11 counterterrorism measures. Sources indicate President Trump’s focus on results prioritizes national security outcomes over potential diplomatic challenges.
Military planning integrates coordination with the FBI, homeland security agencies, and intelligence community. Potential operations could involve direct action by special forces, akin to U.S. strikes in other regions.
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