Trump Admin Discussed Using Navy Destroyers To Launch Missiles At Cartel Leaders Or Infrastructure: Report

The Trump administration reportedly discussed potential plans to increase pressure on Latin American cartels after the president quietly approved the use of military strikes against them.

The Washington Post detailed that discussions included using Navy destroyers to launch missiles at cartel leaders or infrastructure, as well as strengthening the partnership with Mexican forces to target the organizations.

An official told the outlet that military strikes are unlikely to be approved by President Donald Trump. Another one said there is no consideration for sending U.S. troops to Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had already rejected the presence of U.S. troops in the country, saying last week that the possibility was "absolutely ruled out because we have made it clear in every call that such action is neither allowed nor part of any agreement."

Sheinbaum added that had been informed about Trump's executive order, but emphasized that "it had nothing to do with the participation of any military forces in Mexico." She went on to emphasize that any U.S. agencies currently operating in Mexico are under tight restrictions. "I believe we're the country with the most regulation for foreign agents, whether they're from the United States or elsewhere," she said.

Talk about Trump's order has also taken place in South America, considering that weeks ago it designated the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles to the list of global terrorist group. It claimed that authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking officials lead the cartel, and on Thursday Attorney General Pam Bondi raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million.

This weekend, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would consider any attack by U.S. forces on Venezuela as one against his country as well.

In a series of social media posts, Petro replied to reports the executive order. "Above the hurricane, the people must raise the sword of Bolivar. I invite the governments of the U.S. and Venezuela to coordinate actions against drug-trafficking, in a multi-national and coordinated manner, without undermining national sovereignty. What must die is the greed of drug-trafficking, capitalism, but not Bolivar's project," Petro said.

In another publication, Petro said that "as commander-in-chief of the Colombian armed forces," "Colombia and Venezuela are the same people, the same flag, the same history."

"Any military operation that is not approved by brotherly countries is an aggression against Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a fundamental contradiction to our principle of freedom. Freedom or death, Bolivar screamed, and the people rose," he added.