Donald Trump backs tougher action on drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia

Donald Trump has intensified his campaign against maritime drug trafficking, authorizing more forceful interdiction operations and giving U.S. forces expanded authority to disable or sink vessels suspected of carrying narcotics.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he supports taking aggressive action against drug cartels and narcotics production in Mexico and Colombia but stopped short of announcing any direct U.S. military intervention.

Donald Trump has intensified his campaign against maritime drug trafficking, authorizing more forceful interdiction operations and giving U.S. forces expanded authority to disable or sink vessels suspected of carrying narcotics.

Asked at an event in the Oval Office whether he backed similar ground strikes in Mexico to stem drug trafficking, Trump said: “OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs.”

When asked by reporters at the White House whether he would sanction a US counter-drug operation in Mexico, the Republican replied "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's okay with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs."

He later raised the prospect of targeting cocaine laboratories in Colombia.

“Would I knock out those factories? I would be proud to do it personally,” Trump said. “I didn’t say I’m doing it, but I would be proud to do it because we’re going to save millions of lives.”

The Mexican peso fell to a session low after Donald Trump, when asked about the possibility of launching strikes in Mexico, replied that it would be “OK with me.” The Mexican Foreign Ministry did not comment on the remarks.

Donald Trump said he would be “proud” to authorize military action aimed at disrupting drug flows, though he noted he would likely seek approval from Congress first.

“The Democrats or the Republicans would both agree, unless they’re crazy, and they are a little crazy on the Democrat side,” he said.

His comments contrasted sharply with statements made last week by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the U.S. was working more closely than ever with Mexico on drug interdiction and was not considering “unilateral action” or deploying troops.

Trump also signaled an openness to striking cocaine production sites in Colombia.
“Colombia has cocaine factories where they make cocaine. Would I knock out those factories? I would be proud to do it, personally,” he said. “I didn’t say I’m doing it, but I would be proud to do it.”

*With Agency Inputs