ISLAMABAD: United States President Donald Trump has raised the prospect ofmilitary action against Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba in response to theongoing flow of illicit drugs into America, marking a significantescalation in Washington’s campaign against narco-trafficking networks.Speaking in recent interviews and press conferences following acontroversial US operation in Venezuela, Trump indicated that operationstargeting drug sources could extend to these nations if they fail to curbthe influx of fentanyl and cocaine responsible for tens of thousands ofAmerican deaths annually.
The president’s comments come against the backdrop of a severe drug crisisin the United States, where overdose deaths, primarily driven by syntheticopioids like fentanyl, have claimed over 100,000 lives in recent years,though provisional data for 2025 shows a notable decline of around 25percent from peak levels. Fentanyl, largely produced using precursors fromChina and processed in Mexico, enters the US predominantly through thesouthern border, with Mexican cartels playing a central role in itsdistribution.
Trump explicitly warned Mexico that drugs are “pouring through” thecountry, asserting that cartels hold significant control and that “we’regoing to have to do something” to address the issue. He claimed to haveoffered Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assistance in combating thecartels, which she reportedly declined, emphasising national sovereignty.Analysts note that nearly 90 percent of fentanyl seized in the US tracesback to routes controlled by Mexican organisations.
Regarding Colombia, the world’s leading cocaine producer, Trump suggestedthat a military operation “sounds good to me,” accusing President GustavoPetro of tolerating drug production facilities. Colombia remains theprimary source of cocaine entering the United States, with cultivation andpotential production reaching record highs in recent years, according to USgovernment estimates. The president tied this to broader regionalinstability.
For Cuba, Trump described the island as economically weakened and “ready tofall” following the disruption of Venezuelan support, suggesting noimmediate need for intervention as internal collapse appears imminent.However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s earlier remarks hinted atpotential concerns for Havana’s government amid allegations of links toregional drug networks.
These statements follow the designation of several Mexican cartels asforeign terrorist organisations in early 2025, enabling broader militaryoptions under US law. The administration has already conducted strikes onsuspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing dozens inoperations justified as counter-terrorism measures.
Regional leaders have reacted with alarm, with joint statements fromMexico, Colombia, and others condemning unilateral actions as violations ofsovereignty. Mexico’s foreign ministry reiterated that any cooperation mustrespect territorial integrity, while Colombia’s Petro criticised therhetoric as inflammatory.
Data from the US Drug Enforcement Administration indicates that whilecocaine flows often originate in Colombia, transit through Central Americaand Mexico dominates routes to North America. Fentanyl, the deadlierthreat, is almost exclusively linked to Mexican processing labs,underscoring the focus on Mexico in Trump’s warnings.
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Experts caution that military interventions could strain alliances andexacerbate violence without significantly disrupting supply chains, giventhe adaptability of trafficking networks. Past efforts, including billionsin aid under plans like Merida Initiative, have yielded mixed results inreducing drug availability.
The international community watches closely as Trump’s approach redefinesthe war on drugs through a militarised lens, potentially reshapinghemispheric relations. With overdose deaths showing signs of decline due toenhanced interdiction and domestic measures, the efficacy of furtherescalation remains debated.
Source:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/us/politics/trump-cuba-greenland-colombia.html
Tags: United States, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Donald Trump, Drug Cartels,Fentanyl
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