US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that the Trump administration plans to send military forces to Mexico or take unilateral steps in the fight against drug trafficking. He stressed that cooperation between the two nations in combating organized crime is “historic.”
Rubio addressed concerns over escalating violence in Mexico, including the assassination of former Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, which has raised questions about President Claudia Sheinbaum’s security policies. “We are ready to offer any assistance requested. Clearly, Mexico does not want US troops on its soil. We will not act unilaterally nor deploy forces there. However, we can provide equipment, training, and intelligence support if asked,” Rubio stated.
His comments came in response to a recent NBC report suggesting that preliminary US training for operations inside Mexico had begun, although deployment is “not imminent.” The report noted that the administration has not finalized the mission’s scope.
Rubio also highlighted the significant power held by Mexican cartels, noting that some operate with influence comparable to federal authorities. “Certain regions are effectively under cartel control. Their power is substantial. Lack of ideological motivation does not mean they are not terrorists; you do not need an ideology to be a terrorist,” he warned.
Despite occasional tensions between the US and Mexican governments under Trump, Rubio emphasized that collaboration on security and drug enforcement remains strong. “We maintain an excellent relationship with Mexico. Remarkable progress has been achieved in the first 10 months of this year. There are no concerns about their commitment. The work we are doing together is historic,” he said.
United States Launches Operation Southern Spear in Latin America
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the launch of Operation Southern Spear, a military campaign aimed at targeting “narco-terrorists,” as the United States continues a large-scale deployment of troops, warships, and fighter jets throughout Latin America.
The announcement follows reports that the US military recently carried out its 20th strike on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing four people. CNN cited an unnamed Defense Department official stating that there were “no survivors” from the attack. While the United States frames these actions as anti-drug efforts, it has not publicly released evidence or legal justification for the lethal strikes, which have reportedly resulted in around 80 deaths.
The military deployment is widely viewed as a pressure tactic against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who condemned the United States, accusing it of creating false narratives to justify attacks on vessels in regional waters. Venezuela’s Ministry of Defense reported mobilizing nearly 200,000 troops for exercises to counter what it calls an “imperialist threat.” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino described the US presence as a “vulgar attack on the sovereignty and peace” of Venezuela and the broader region.