The United States is reportedly considering launching drone strikes against drug cartel members in Mexico, according to an exclusive NBC News report. The move, if pursued, would mark an unprecedented escalation in the fight against transnational organized crime and the fentanyl crisis.
NBC cited six current and former U.S. military, intelligence, and law enforcement officials who confirmed that internal discussions are underway within the White House, Pentagon, and CIA. The talks reportedly involve possible drone strikes targeting cartel operatives, vehicles, warehouses, and drug labs inside Mexico.
Surveillance activity over and near Mexican territory by U.S. drones and spy planes has already increased. One former official described the missions as efforts to “build a target deck” for potential operations.
While President Donald Trump has long expressed support for taking direct action against cartels, it remains unclear whether Mexico has been officially consulted about the possibility of drone strikes. NBC’s sources said that while unilateral U.S. action has not been ruled out, discussions are still in early stages and no final decision has been made.
In February, the Trump administration designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump, during his 2024 campaign and since returning to office, has repeatedly said that targeting cartels with military force “could happen.”
U.S. ambassador-designate to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, recently echoed those sentiments, saying unilateral action could be taken if American lives were at risk. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly rejected the notion of U.S. military intervention without consent, calling it a violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
Sheinbaum confirmed in February that her government had approved CIA drone flights for intelligence-gathering purposes but emphasized that cooperation must respect Mexican authority. Since taking office, her administration has increased enforcement efforts—deploying thousands of troops, extraditing cartel leaders, and seizing drug shipments—amid ongoing pressure from Washington.
A separate report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a call with Mexican military officials, warned that if Mexico fails to confront cartel corruption, the U.S. might act independently.
The White House has accused Mexico of tolerating cartel operations, alleging that some elements of the Mexican government offer “safe havens” for drug production and trafficking.
Former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Sarukhán, warned that any unilateral U.S. military action would be seen as an act of war and a violation of international law. “This would plunge the bilateral relationship into a nosedive,” he told NBC.
He added that the current crisis is the result of both countries’ long-standing failures to address the cartel problem. “At the end of the day, it’s Mexico’s failings and mistakes that have put us in this position,” Sarukhán said.