Trump admits he would support attacks on Mexico to “fight drug trafficking”

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated this Monday (17) that he would support the launch of attacks against Mexico, governed by Claudia Sheinbaum, under the argument of interrupting drug trafficking into North American territory. The statement, given to reporters in the Oval Office, increases the climate of diplomatic tension involving Washington and Latin American countries.

“By me, OK, we’ll do whatever it takes to stop drugs. I’m not saying I’m going to do it. But I would be proud to do it,” Trump said. The president also mentioned the desire to end cocaine laboratories in Colombia, but did not announce any direct military action in the country governed by Gustavo Petro.

After the statements, Petro defended the opening of criminal proceedings against Trump, arguing that threats of this nature violate international norms and pose risks to the sovereignty of South American countries.

Military operations in the Caribbean have already resulted in dozens of deaths

Trump’s speeches occur at the same time that the United States is expanding military operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean under the justification of combating drug trafficking. In early September, Washington announced the deployment of military personnel to the region close to the coast of Venezuela. Since then, according to official data released by the US government, US troops have carried out 21 attacks against vessels suspected of transporting narcotics.

These operations resulted in at least 83 deaths in the Caribbean and Pacific. The offensive occurs in parallel with the rhetorical tightening of the White House, which has expanded the framing of Latin American countries as potential bases for international criminal organizations.

Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico are the main political targets

Although military actions were justified as part of an anti-drug campaign, three countries concentrate Washington’s strategic focus: Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico. All are governed by left-wing leaders and maintain diplomatic relations marked by differences with the United States.

Analysts say that the Trump administration’s rhetoric uses the fight against drug trafficking as an element of political pressure, while at the same time articulating military actions and economic sanctions. The opposition of these countries to North American unilateralism in global politics and economics strengthens this conflict scenario.

Another aspect cited as a motivator for the North American offensives is the expansion of China’s influence in Latin America. Like Brazil, the Asian country is part of BRICS, a bloc that defends greater global economic autonomy and discusses the creation of a common currency, which could reduce dependence on the dollar in international trade.

Bounty for Maduro and dispute over oil

Venezuela occupies a strategic position in this set of tensions. The United States announced a reward of up to US$50 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Nicolás Maduro. In addition to the accusations of drug trafficking made by Washington, the South American country has the largest oil reserves in the world, a factor that experts point out as central to North American policy towards the region.

According to the World AtlasVenezuela leads the world ranking of reserves with 300.9 billion barrels, followed by Saudi Arabia (266.5 billion) and Canada (169.7 billion). In later positions are Iran, Iraq, Russia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, United States and Libya. Brazil appears in 15th place, with 16.2 billion barrels — just over 1% of global reserves.

Brazil appears on Washington’s radar, but without direct military action

Although the United States has not announced direct actions in Brazil, recent episodes have raised alarms among parliamentarians, activists and researchers. The government of Rio de Janeiro, led by Cláudio Castro (PL), sent a report to the Trump administration on the activities of the criminal faction Comando Vermelho in the state.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) even suggested that the US carry out attacks against vessels allegedly used to transport drugs in Rio de Janeiro waters. The statement followed a post by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about a US attack in the Pacific.

Experts say that demonstrations of this nature increase diplomatic risks and can set dangerous precedents involving territorial sovereignty.

Concern grows about possible regional escalation

Trump’s statements about possible attacks on Mexico reinforce fears of military escalation in Latin America. Countries in the region observe with concern the combination of offensive actions, harsh rhetoric and geopolitical disputes, especially in a context marked by the rise of emerging powers and global economic rearrangements.

The expansion of military operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific, attacks against vessels and the inclusion of economic and energy issues in the US anti-drill discourse form, according to analysts, an unstable scenario with potential impacts for the entire region.

Trump’s stance, experts point out, mixes strategic objectives — such as combating drug trafficking, containing Chinese influence and controlling oil reserves — with political pressure on governments that diverge from the North American position on the international stage.

With Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela at the center of tensions, Latin America once again appears as an area of ​​geopolitical dispute. The possibility of unilateral attacks, even if presented as a hypothesis, intensifies debates about sovereignty, regional security and the role of the United States in hemispheric politics.