By Harshit, WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 / 7 AM EDT
The Trump administration has initiated detailed planning for a new covert mission that would send U.S. troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target powerful drug cartels, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with the effort.
If approved, the mission would mark the first known U.S. military deployment inside Mexico in modern history to directly strike cartel targets, significantly expanding Washington’s war on narcotics networks in the Western Hemisphere.
Early Training Underway
Two current U.S. officials told NBC News that initial training for the potential mission has already begun, though deployment is not imminent. The proposal is still being debated at the highest levels of government, and a final decision has yet to be made.
Under the plan, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) forces would operate under Title 50 authority, placing them under the control of the U.S. intelligence community. The mission would also include Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) personnel, officials confirmed.
The new initiative represents a significant shift from previous administrations, which limited U.S. involvement in Mexico to intelligence sharing and advisory support for local security forces — not direct action.
Drone Strikes and Covert Operations
If approved, the operation would focus primarily on precision drone strikes targeting drug labs, cartel leaders, and operational hubs, the officials said. Some of the drones require operators on the ground for accuracy and safety, suggesting limited U.S. troop presence inside Mexican territory.
A senior administration official told reporters, “The Trump administration is committed to utilizing an all-of-government approach to address the threats cartels pose to American citizens.”
The CIA declined to comment, and the Pentagon referred questions to the White House.
Legal Basis and Coordination
In February, the State Department designated six Mexican drug cartels, along with MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). The move granted U.S. agencies broad authority to conduct espionage and covert missions against them under counterterrorism statutes.
President Trump has already authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela and hinted that similar operations could extend into Mexico.
While officials have expressed a desire to coordinate with Mexico’s government, they have not ruled out acting independently if cooperation stalls.
Mexico’s Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to previous reports of possible U.S. drone strikes, saying, “We reject any form of intervention or interference. Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself.”
Despite her statement, Mexico has expanded surveillance flights, deployed 10,000 troops to the U.S. border, and extradited 55 cartel leaders to the United States since Sheinbaum took office, according to NBC News.
Wider Campaign Against Narcotics
The mission would build on Trump’s existing campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, where U.S. forces have conducted strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels linked to Venezuela. The Pentagon claims 64 people have been killed in 15 such operations, though no evidence has been publicly released to verify those figures.
Trump has repeatedly called the cartels a “national security threat”, arguing that traditional law enforcement has failed to stop the flow of narcotics responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths each year.
“We’re sending a clear message to the cartels,” Trump said recently. “If you traffic drugs into our country, you will face lethal consequences.”
International and Political Reaction
While Trump’s aggressive approach has drawn support from some U.S. lawmakers who favor hardline tactics, it has also faced bipartisan criticism over potential sovereignty violations and risks of escalation with Mexico.
As discussions continue in Washington, both the Pentagon and CIA are preparing contingency plans should the mission receive final authorization.
If approved, the move would open an unprecedented front in U.S. counter-narcotics policy — one that could redefine the country’s relationship with Mexico and reshape the global fight against organized crime.