Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
A top US general has confirmed that the US military is ramping up operations against cartels in Mexico.
Some shit you should know before you read: At the beginning of his presidency, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” significantly expanding the US government’s ability to combat them. This designation allows for a wide range of actions, from the Treasury Department imposing sanctions on Mexican businesses, banks, and individuals linked to cartels to potential US military operations against cartel targets, including airstrikes, special forces raids, and cross-border efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks. Trump’s executive order also strengthened law enforcement powers, enabling the prosecution of cartel associates under terrorism-related charges, which carry harsher penalties.
What’s going on now: While speaking on Capitol Hill, General Gregory Guillot, head of US Northern Command, confirmed the US military has increased the use of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, allowing troops to monitor cartel movements and identify smuggling routes. He added, “We have also increased some uniquely military capabilities that will get after … the cartels, which are driving the illegal migration.”
General Guillot noted that approximately 5,000 active-duty US soldiers are currently deployed along the southern border, with the possibility of additional reinforcements. He indicated that additional maritime assets may be needed in cooperation with the US Coast Guard to address security concerns beyond land operations. When asked by lawmakers whether he would require a carrier strike group near Mexico, Guillot responded that he would need a “significant increased maritime presence” to effectively secure the region.
This all comes as Mexico has deployed 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border in response to demands from President Donald Trump, who had threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Mexican goods if the country did not take stronger action to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking. The move was part of a broader negotiation between the two countries to avoid economic penalties, with Mexico agreeing to ramp up enforcement efforts in exchange for delaying the tariffs. However, the increased military presence on both sides of the border has raised concerns about potential violent clashes with cartels, which have a history of retaliating against security forces. Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” warned that the cartels would likely escalate violence, stating, “Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely, because the cartels are making record amounts of money.”
