Trump Appears To Hint At Attacks Against Cartels In Mexico: 'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary To Defend Our National Security'

President Donald Trump appeared to hint at the possibility that the U.S. will conduct attacks against cartels in Mexico, telling Latin American leaders that the U.S. government "will do whatever is necessary to defend our national security."

"The epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico. The Mexican cartels are fueling and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in this hemisphere," Trump said during the Shield of the Americas Summit, where regional heads of State friendly to the U.S. gathered to discuss security matters.

President Trump in Florida: "The epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico. The Mexican cartels are fueling and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in this hemisphere, and the United States government will do whatever is necessary to defend our national security." pic.twitter.com/F5a6AbiYw3

— CSPAN (@cspan) March 7, 2026

Trump has repeatedly discussed striking cartels in its neighboring country, a possibility firmly rejected by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The topic was most recently part of the public conversation after the killing of ersation with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump about the operation that killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the longtime leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).

Trump addressed the matter during his State of the Union address, saying the U.S. is to credit for the operation. "We've also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins. you saw that yesterday," Trump said during a passage of the speech. Trump did not delve into the extent of the U.S.'s involvement, with both countries saying that there was cooperation between them.

In a press release detailing how the developments unfolded, Mexico's Defense Secretariat said that "for the execution of the operation, as well as central military intelligence tasks, within the framework of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the U.S., there was complementary information from the country's authorities."

The New York Times expanded on the matter, reporting that the CIA provided 'instrumental' information to locate El Mencho. The outlet went on to say that the U.S. has stepped up intelligence-sharing with the country and pressuring it to act on it.

More than three in four Mexicans reject having U.S. troops on the country, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted by local outlet El Financiero in January, revealed that 78% of respondents rejects the premise, with 21% supporting it.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly highlighted the cooperation with the Trump administration when fighting cartels, but she has drawn a red line in allowing U.S. troops into Mexican territory.

She said that Trump again made the offer in a recent phone call before the killing of El Mencho, but she rejected it. She also said that organized crime can't be equated to terrorism and Mexico rejects any action that amounts to an intervention in the country.

She added that Trump recognized her administration's work in matters of security but noted that more can be done. "What's important is continue maintaining respect and collaboration," Sheinbaum added.

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