Nearly six months after officially designating several Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, President Donald Trump has reportedly— and secretly — signed an order directing the Pentagon to begin using military force against them.
Sources familiar with the matter told The New York Times that the order provides an official basis for potential direct military operations at sea and on foreign soil. The report called it the most aggressive step the Trump administration has taken so far against drug trafficking organizations.
The designation of six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in February laid the groundwork for such action. U.S. assets have already been operating in Mexican territory, including drone surveillance that has reportedly helped local authorities track and dismantle cartel leadership and drug labs.
But despite the administration's tough posture, deploying the military against cartels raises serious legal questions. As The New York Times reported, one concern is whether U.S. forces, operating outside a congressionally authorized armed conflict, could be held legally liable — even for murder — if they were to kill civilians or criminal suspects who pose no imminent threat.
It remains unclear what legal assessments, if any, have been issued by the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department or the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.
As the United States moves toward more aggressive and unconventional tactics, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked about Trump's reported order during a news conference Friday. She told reporters the directive does not mention any military action on Mexican soil.
"It has to do with their country, within the United States," she said. Sheinbaum dismissed the idea of a U.S. invasion outright, adding, "That is ruled out — absolutely ruled out — because we have made it clear in every call that such action is neither allowed nor part of any agreement."
She also said her administration had been informed about the executive order, but emphasized that "it had nothing to do with the participation of any military forces in Mexico."
Sheinbaum underscored that any U.S. agencies currently operating in Mexico are under tight restrictions. "I believe we're the country with the most regulation for foreign agents, whether they're from the United States or elsewhere," she said.
🇺🇸 "EU no va a venir a México con los militares, eso está absolutamente descartado", afirmó @Claudiashein tras la orden ejecutiva de Trump contra cárteles.
— Animal Político (@Pajaropolitico) August 8, 2025
🔍 Añadió que las agencias de EU en México "están muy reguladas". pic.twitter.com/JtjnKeBj72
This is not the first time Trump has suggested using U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels. In May, he confirmed he had offered military assistance to Sheinbaum, but she firmly rejected it.
"She is so afraid of the cartels she can't even think straight," Trump said after the exchange, adding that Sheinbaum "can't walk" because of cartel violence in the country.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the proposal, revealing that tensions escalated toward the end of a 45-minute call between the two leaders on April 16. According to the report, Sheinbaum told Trump her government was open to intelligence cooperation but "would not accept a direct military presence."
She later confirmed that version of events during a public appearance at a university in Mexico — and, as she has done consistently throughout her presidency, rejected the idea of any U.S. military intervention.
"And do you know what I told him? No, President Trump. The territory cannot be violated. Sovereignty cannot be sold. Sovereignty is cherished and defended. It's not necessary. We can collaborate. We can work together. But you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States' army in our territory."
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