'US To Start Hitting Land Against Drug Cartels': Trump Raises Concerns For Mexico

Last Updated:January 09, 2026, 09:22 IST

Following operation on Venezuela, Trump said that his administration will soon begin actions to target cartels on land.

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP)

Days after capturing Nicolas Maduro and his wife, US President Donald Trump on Thursday, said that his administration will soon begin actions to target cartels on land. He further alleged that the cartels are running to Mexico.

“We’ve knocked out 97 percent of the drugs coming in by water, and we are gonna start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels," Trump said in an interview to Fox News.

“The cartels are running Mexico," he said, adding, “It’s very, very sad to watch and see what’s happened to that country."

Trump’s comments come after the surprise capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and his wife last week. The development came after months of mounting US military and economic pressure on the leftist leader.

Notably, Trump, earlier this week, said he had asked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum if she wanted the US military’s help in rooting out drug cartels. He had also warned Mexico “to get its act together".

However, Sheinbaum has rejected Trump’s help following the US operation in Venezuela, stating, “We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries."

Mexico Condemns Attack On Venezuela

Following the US attack on Venezuela, the Mexican government strongly condemned the operation while doubling down on bilateral cooperation.

“We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries," Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said, adding, “The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: intervention has never brought democracy, never generated well-being, nor lasting stability."

Hours after the elite US special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in their home, Trump floated the prospect of US military action inside Mexico, saying drug cartels are “running" the country and that “something is gonna have to be done with Mexico".

News world 'US To Start Hitting Land Against Drug Cartels': Trump Raises Concerns For Mexico

Read More