Mexico again rejects proposed strikes against Cartels by the US government.

 

US Soldiers on patrol with a Stryker Fighting Vehicle on the border of Mexico. Fox News/AP.

Mexico has again rejected a proposal by President Trump to strike drug Cartels in Mexico proper. Fox News. Trump was asked if he would consider the strikes and he said it was "good with me" adding he would do "whatever it takes" to stop drugs from entering the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the proposal saying that they welcome cooperation on the almost two decade long drug war, they viewed strikes as a violation of Mexican sovereignty. Trump has launched strikes at drug smugglers on both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans but has refrained from launching airstrikes. The report comes after a minor incident on the border. US contractors put signs on a small island at the mouth of the Rio Grande river saying the property was restricted, but Mexico took down the signs saying that the island was actually in Mexican territory. 

My Comment:

Given the chaos that is happening in Mexico right now, this is probably unwelcome news for Claudia Sheinbaum. She's in a difficult position of keeping the Cartels pacified, keeping her own people from kicking her out of power and keeping Trump happy enough that he doesn't just do what he wants. And she has to do that while managing a major drug war and corruption in her own government. I don't envy her. 

An offhand comment at a press conference should not be taken as an ironclad commitment to policy, especially when it comes to Donald Trump. He often floats ideas like this and often talks about things he would potentially like to do, but can't or won't. However, it is very unclear if this is one of those things. Given that Trump is already hitting the Mexican Drug Cartels drug fleet pretty hard with airstrikes, launching similar attacks against their ground bases and smuggling operations is not too far outside of the Overton Window. 

And it's not like America and Mexico haven't had military conflicts in the past. Indeed, Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus remains the last time a foreign invader attacked US soil directly with ground troops (excluding Alaska in WWII of course). Indeed, we have even fought criminal groups in Mexico before. Another conflict would not be unprecedented. 

Realistically, there is nothing that the Mexican Government could do if America did decide to launch airstrikes. They have a military but nothing compared to the massive military might that is the United States. Given that attacks would likely be launched by drones, I don't know if they would have any chance at countering any attacks. 

Still, I think that any real airstrikes are unlikely against the Mexican Cartels. Trump is just saber rattling again. He might be trying to pressure Sheinbaum to do more against the Cartels or is perhaps pressuring her due to the protests going on against her right now. But I doubt this is a real threat to launch airstrikes. 

Finally, the minor incident on the border seems pretty mild. Some contractors put up signs in a constantly shifting area (a river delta) and then the Mexican government took them down. It's the exact opposite of a big deal. Nobody got hurt or killed and it was more of an annoyance than anything.