The Trump administration is exploring whether the U.S. should use drones to target drug cartels operating inside Mexico. The idea is part of a broader plan to crack down on criminal organizations trafficking drugs across the U.S. southern border, reports NBC.

Discussions are still in early stages. Officials from the White House, Pentagon, and U.S. intelligence agencies are reviewing options. These include drone strikes on cartel leaders and supply routes within Mexico. “Six current and former US military, law enforcement, and intelligence officials with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.” It is unclear if the U.S. has formally presented the plan to Mexican authorities.

U.S. and Mexican forces have worked together before on cartel-related missions, but targeted drone strikes—and potential expansion of U.S. personnel operations inside Mexico—would be a major shift.

U.S. officials, including Trump’s nominees, have not ruled out drone use. The U.S. military and CIA have already increased surveillance over Mexico with Mexico’s permission. The flights are intended to gather intelligence and lay the groundwork for potential strikes. “They’re looking to build a target deck,” one former official said, referring to identifying key cartel elements like members, vehicles, warehouses, and other infrastructure.

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What Sheinbaum has consistently being doing over the last several weeks is to amplify the discourse to make these connections clear.pic.twitter.com/y9kQeahPxx

— Kurt Hackbarth 🌹 (@KurtHackbarth) February 21, 2025

The Trump administration has begun moving military and intelligence focus toward counter-cartel efforts. Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both suggested that unilateral U.S. action is possible. “All cards are on the table,” they’ve each said.

Officials say their goal is cooperation with Mexican police and military, but acknowledge that some within the administration believe the U.S. should act alone if necessary. That approach risks harming relations with Mexico and could raise international law concerns.

Supporters of the drone strike plan argue that increasing military pressure might disrupt fentanyl trafficking and force the cartels to back down. Critics say it might have the opposite effect—fueling backlash inside Mexico. Some Trump officials believe that floating military options and economic pressure—like tariffs—could push Mexico into further cooperation.

The idea of a drone campaign is still under debate. “There is no doubt if there were unilateral action inside Mexico, this would put the bilateral relationship into a nosedive,” said Arturo Sarukhán, a former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., noting that such a step hasn’t been seriously considered by the U.S. since 1914.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October, has increased cartel enforcement. Her predecessor denied that fentanyl was even made in Mexico. Sheinbaum allowed CIA surveillance flights to continue under the Biden administration, signaling a shift in policy. Still, she opposes any unilateral military move by the U.S., especially after Trump’s decision to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

“There has always been a tremendous level of suspicion by Mexican authorities of the US,” a former U.S. diplomat who served in Mexico said. “And we haven’t exactly given them reason recently to believe any differently.”

At a press conference Tuesday, Sheinbaum responded to the reports. “While this idea hasn’t been formally proposed, we’ve made it clear that it wouldn’t address the root of the issue. What truly works is ongoing attention to root causes, arrests driven by intelligence and investigation, coordination, and zero tolerance for impunity. We categorically reject any such actions, and we don’t believe they will happen. There is a strong, ongoing dialogue on security and many other matters.”