Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the possibility that the U.S. will unilaterally send troops into Mexico, a statement that stands in contrast with a report from last week claiming such a scenario could take place.
"We're not going to take unilateral action and send American forces into Mexico. But we can help them with equipment, training, intelligence sharing. They have to ask for it," Rubio told press.
Marco Rubio on the cartels:
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 13, 2025
They possess more weapons, better training, better intelligence, and more capabilities than nation states.
In Mexico, there are areas run by and governed by these cartels, more powerful than local law enforcement or even the national forces. pic.twitter.com/gowrzZPVkX
The report in question claimed that the Trump administration is drafting plans to send U.S. troops and intelligence agents into Mexico to target cartels.
Concretely, NBC News detailed that the planning is in its early stages but a final decision has not been made. And, if it would, it wouldn't be imminent. However, the early stages of training for the potential mission have begun.
The troops, the outlet added, would operate under the authority of the U.S. intelligence community, known as Title 50 status.
Should the mission be effectively approved, actions would not be publicized. "The Trump administration is committed to utilizing an all-of-government approach to address the threats cartels pose to American citizens," a senior official told the outlet when contacted about the story.
In another passage of the story, NBC News claimed that U.S. troops in the country would largely resort to drone strikes to target drug labs and top cartel operatives. The use of drones would require U.S. troops to operate them on Mexican soil.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly rejected any possibility against it happening, claiming that the people are "united against any interference." Speaking during her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said no Mexican, beyond some exceptions, "want an intervention."
Rubio, however, said in another passage of his contact with press that transnational cartels are a formidable threat that needs to be addressed. "No one is discussing enough the rise of these transnational terrorist organizations. Just because they are not ideologically driven it doesn't mean that they are not terrorists," he said.
"They possess more weapons, better training, better intelligence, and more capabilities than nation states. in Ecuador they are threatening the Ecuadorean state. In Mexico, there are areas run by and governed by these cartels, more powerful than local law enforcement or even the national forces. these are a concern throughout the hemisphere," he added.
President Donald Trump, on his end, has hinted at actions against criminal organizations. He has repeatedly said that Mexico is "ran by the cartels," saying the U.S. has to "defend" itself against drug-traffickers despite his respect for Sheinbaum.
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