Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Mike Waltz, national security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, vowed that the United States will take aggressive action against Mexican drug cartels trafficking fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring that “enough is enough.”
Waltz emphasized the role of the U.S. military in working with Mexican authorities to patrol the border and combat drug-related crimes. According to Waltz, this joint effort puts the cartels “on notice.”
“We are going to unleash hell on the cartels, enough is enough. We are securing our border and the cartels are on notice. There have been images of the Mexican Army patrolling alongside our border and customs police, and with our army, to secure the border of the United States,” he stated. Waltz further emphasized the importance of border security, stating, “Without a border, you don’t have a country, and you don’t have sovereignty. America comes first.”
Heightened Tensions and Policy Implications
The remarks come amid growing political pressure in the United States to take a tougher stance on fentanyl trafficking, which has been linked to a surge in overdose deaths. Calls for military intervention against Mexican drug cartels have gained traction among conservative policymakers, with some advocating for the designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, a move that would authorize expanded military and law enforcement operations against them.
The Mexican government, however, has historically rejected direct U.S. military involvement in its anti-cartel efforts, citing sovereignty concerns. While Mexican forces ramped up operations against cartels under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, tensions persist over cross-border security cooperation and the scope of U.S. involvement.
Recent images of Mexican armed forces patrolling the border alongside U.S. customs officers and military personnel have fueled speculation about increased collaboration. However, Mexico’s government has not confirmed any formal joint military operations. Mexico has repeatedly criticized foreign intervention in Mexican affairs and has advocated for addressing drug trafficking through economic and social reforms rather than militarized strategies.
Waltz’s comments reflect a broader strategy by conservative leaders to make border security a key issue in the U.S. elections. With the Trump administration facing criticism over immigration policies and fentanyl-related deaths, Republican leaders have called for stronger measures to curb drug trafficking, including military intervention.
It remains unclear how Mexico will respond to Waltz’s statements, but any perceived escalation in U.S. military action against drug cartels could strain diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mexico has previously condemned calls for U.S. military intervention, arguing that such actions would violate Mexico’s sovereignty and undermine bilateral cooperation.
As the U.S. grapples with its ongoing opioid crisis, the debate over how to combat fentanyl trafficking continues to shape the political landscape, with strong rhetoric and policy proposals likely to remain central to the discourse in the months ahead.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Mike Waltz, national security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, vowed that the United States will take aggressive action against Mexican drug cartels trafficking fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring that “enough is enough.”
