The New York Times raised this Sunday the possibility that cartels in Mexico could be the next to be bombed by Donald Trump following the attacks on boats in the Caribbean.
In an article published this Sunday, journalists Paulina Villegas and Jack Nicas recall that Trump stated in May that he “would be honored” to use US forces against the cartels.
The question “Could Mexico, where some of the world’s most powerful criminal groups produce far more drugs, be next?” was posed to three senior Mexican officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. They said there is no concern in the country about similar future actions given the government’s progress on migration and drugs.
However, one of them said that although unilateral attacks in Mexico are not contemplated, these bombings in the Caribbean have raised “a long-term concern.”
Five cartel members echoed the officials’ position and told the New York Times that they do not fear US intervention; the drug traffickers, meanwhile, said they are focused on an internal conflict.
“That will never happen. Trump can’t do that… We don’t just have sea routes, we also have land and air routes. There’s always a way,” said the cartel member responsible for overseeing operations in Culiacán.
Two US officials, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Trump administration prioritizes its collaboration with Mexico and is focused on working together rather than unilateral attacks; one of them stated that the visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed “the feeling” that the two countries are aligned on security matters.
“The Trump administration believes its threats against Mexico have prompted it to intensify its fight against the cartels, according to an official, thus eliminating the need for US forces to intervene, at least for now,” the publication notes.
The outlet emphasizes that any US intervention will have serious diplomatic, economic, and political consequences.
Source: latinus.us
