In the long list of dictatorial power grabs, perhaps none measure up quite so conspicuously as having the military unload very kinetic weapons into what is or has been a treasured ally in the region. Thus one shouldn’t be too surprised to hear that President Donald Trump plans to do just that – soon. Efforts are underway to strike at drug labs inside Mexico using the U.S. military, which – heretofore, was supposed to be busy with planning and training against the Chinese or Russian military, you know – enemies. But a dictator is going to dictate, and Mexico is now a new target, according to a report in Rolling Stone.
A new directive signed last week by President Donald Trump gives the Pentagon authorization to use military force against Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations, according to administration sources. A U.S. official familiar with the matter confirmed to Rolling Stone certain details regarding the Trump-signed directive, which was first reported by The New York Times.
Other knowledgeable sources, working in or close to this iteration of the Trump White House, say that unless Mexico gives Trump what he wants, this administration is serious about attacking its neighbor to the south. And according to administration officials and others familiar with the Trump administration preparations, it’s not a bluff: This American president wants to violently breach Mexico’s sovereignty — if and when he feels like it. He, after all, effectively campaigned on doing so during his 2024 bid.
Yes, he did campaign on it, and it wasn’t a good idea then or now. To be sure, absolutely no one is going to feel sorry for purveyors of the fentanyl that kills American citizens. But there is a way to do this, especially with allies. One enters talks with the other government to propose joint operations, thereby increasing our bond with Mexico rather than putting it at risk. But Trump doesn’t want to cooperate; he wants to dictate. Indeed, that is the entire point. No self-respecting dictator goes 90 days without unilaterally using the military to kill people.
But the Trump administration does have a branding problem because there is very little with which to cover this when it comes to international relations.
Just don’t call any of this a plan for an invasion, U.S. government officials implore. Speaking about the new directive, a senior administration official says, “It’s not a negotiating tactic. It’s not Art of the Deal. The president has been clear that a strike is coming unless we see some big, major changes.”
Changes like what? There has been almost no reporting on even demands to the Mexican government outside of trade negotiations – which doesn’t mean that this isn’t considered one of the tools with which to propel those negotiations, either. Is that what is really going on here? Is this a show of force to strengthen Trump’s hand when it comes to trade?
Leave it to the Trump administration to definitively force the American people to only now fully understand just how good we had it with two strong allies on our borders. Since Trump has been in office, he has, near single-handedly, turned Canada wholly against the United States, interrupting both tourism and trade. And now he will do all he can to infuriate Mexico, which will most certainly object to bombs falling inside their nation, at least bombs totally outside of their control.
Again, ask yourself why this can’t be done in cooperation with Mexican officials. The answer serves to explain why this is even contemplated. Trump loves dictatorial power. He loves pardoning people, he loves his trade tariffs, he loves putting out the national guard, and he loves using the military – all elements of the U.S. government over which he has total control, most like a king. It is like a drug to him, highly addictive.
And just like any drug, he needs larger amounts and stronger versions to get the same high – thus we can expect bombs on drug labs. Irony from an addict.
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