Trump after declaring cartels terrorist organizations: ‘Mexico is not going to like it’
Claudia Sheinbaum’s government faces the challenge of toughening its fight against drugs and showing results to prevent a potential US military incursion into Mexico
The long-anticipated threat has become reality. On his first day in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. “Mexico is not going to like it,” said the tycoon as he signed the decree in a sports arena in front of his supporters. According to specialists, the measure will give the U.S. government enormous powers that could violate Mexico’s sovereignty, resulting, for example, in drone attacks or military incursions on Mexican soil. Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, which has firmly stated the bilateral relationship will be one of cooperation and never subordination, will be under pressure to obtain results in its anti-drug policy, results that can be measured in Trump’s terms. The diplomatic relationship between the two countries, led in Mexico by a leftist president and in Washington by a politician more inclined to the xenophobic and racist right, is expected to be tense on such a priority issue as bilateral security and threatens to affect trade, an area in which both countries are deeply dependent.
