Overview
- In a Fox News interview that aired Thursday night, President Trump said the campaign against cartels will move from sea to land following months of maritime strikes.
- The administration has not released operational details, targets, or a timeline, and reporting notes no new congressional authorization for land action.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed sovereignty and rejected U.S. troop involvement after Trump said he pressed her to allow operations inside Mexico.
- Coverage ties the statement to an August directive enabling action against cartels and FTOs, sea strikes that reportedly killed more than 100 people since September, and last week’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump’s claim that cartels kill 250,000–300,000 Americans annually conflicts with public health data, and experts warn that land operations could breach sovereignty and risk civilian harm and displacement.