US Defense Secretary warns Mexico of potential military action against cartels: Report

Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi met with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Juan Ramon de la Fuente on Thursday. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly warned Mexican officials last month that the American military was prepared to take “unilateral action” against drug cartels if Mexico fails to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal.

During a call on January 31 with senior Mexican military officials, Hegseth pressed them to tackle cartel activity and address concerns over alleged government collusion with criminal organizations, the WSJ report stated. The comments left Mexican officials “shocked and angered,” with some interpreting them as a suggestion that US military strikes could take place inside Mexico.

A Pentagon summary of the call, released earlier this month, noted that Hegseth emphasized his top priority of securing the US and safeguarding its citizens. The statement also highlighted the need for Mexico’s armed forces to intensify their efforts to disrupt cartel operations and prevent illegal migration. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation, the readout said.

Hegseth has previously declined to rule out US military action against Mexican drug cartels. Speaking on Fox & Friends the same day as his call with Mexican officials, he said, “All options will be on the table” when asked whether military operations could be conducted inside Mexico. He added that any decision on such action would ultimately rest with the president.

Former President Donald Trump, 78, also issued a warning on Thursday, reiterating his plan to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting March 4, citing their failure to stem drug smuggling. “Drugs are still pouring into our country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

On the same day, the Mexican government announced the transfer of 29 cartel members, including a suspect in the killing of a US Drug Enforcement Agency agent, to the US for prosecution.