REPORT: Trump Planning Major Escalation In War On Cartels: ‘Boots On The Ground’

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a major escalation in his war against drug cartels — one that could send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico for direct action against cartel operations.

While training and early-stage preparations have reportedly begun, officials stressed that no final decision has been made and no deployment is imminent. The mission’s scope remains under discussion as Trump weighs options that would significantly expand U.S. counter-cartel operations in the Western Hemisphere.

According to NBC News citing two U.S. officials and two former senior officials familiar with the effort, the report says planning is already underway for what would be an unprecedented mission: American “boots on the ground” inside Mexico to target cartel strongholds, drug labs, and trafficking routes.

The proposed mission would involve elite units from the Joint Special Operations Command working under Title 50 status — meaning they’d operate under the intelligence community’s authority rather than through standard military command. That designation allows for covert actions typically overseen by the CIA, which officials say would also take part in the operation.

The plan represents a break from past administrations, which have quietly assisted Mexico’s military and police without authorizing direct U.S. military strikes inside Mexican territory. Trump, however, has made no secret of his willingness to take a tougher stance.

“The Trump administration is committed to utilizing an all-of-government approach to address the threats cartels pose to American citizens,” a senior administration official told NBC.

Under the developing framework, U.S. special forces would primarily rely on drone strikes to hit cartel figures and drug labs. Some drone systems require operators to be physically present in-country to ensure precision, meaning American troops could be stationed on the ground to guide operations.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration formally designated six Mexican cartels — along with MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua — as foreign terrorist organizations. That move granted U.S. military and intelligence agencies sweeping powers to conduct surveillance and covert operations against them worldwide. Trump himself has confirmed authorizing CIA missions in Venezuela and has signaled his intent to pursue similar action against cartel networks in Mexico.

In April Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly rejected any notion of U.S. intervention.

“We reject any form of intervention or interference. That’s been very clear, Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself,” she said.

Still, cooperation between the two countries has quietly deepened. Under Sheinbaum’s leadership, Mexico has reportedly allowed expanded CIA surveillance flights, increased fentanyl seizures, and extradited dozens of high-profile cartel leaders to the United States.

Even so, Trump has made clear his skepticism about Mexico’s ability to control its cartels. “I have great respect for the president, a woman that I think is a tremendous woman,” Trump said last month. “She’s a very brave woman, but Mexico is run by the cartels.”

Trump’s anti-cartel campaign has already included deadly strikes on suspected drug boats near Venezuela. Pentagon figures show 64 people killed across 15 strikes, though officials have not provided details about the targets or evidence confirming cartel links. Despite limited public information, the Trump administration has touted the campaign as proof of its resolve. The president argues that years of conventional law enforcement have failed to stem the flow of narcotics that kill tens of thousands of Americans annually.

The plan to potentially launch drone strikes and special operations inside Mexico marks a major expansion of that effort — one that could redefine the U.S. role in fighting international narcotics networks. For now, the proposal remains in the planning phase, but few doubt Trump’s determination.