“Trump says he could send US special operators after Mexican drug cartels. It could make things a lot worse.”- Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera of SWJ shares insights for MSN
In a recent article by Kelsey Baker for MSN, published on January 25, 2025, she unpacks some of the main points surrounding the recent designation of Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations by President Donald Trump. Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera of SWJ shares her insights for the article.
President Trump suggests deploying U.S. Special Operations forces to combat Mexican drug cartels on their home turf. This controversial proposal has sparked debate among national security experts, including SWJ’s Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera. She is a renowned scholar and professor at George Mason University specializing in U.S.-Mexico relations and organized crime.
Kelsey Baker and Dr. Correa-Cabrera have this to say, among other things:
Mexican civilians caught in the crossfire would likely flee communities, which could create a refugee crisis, Dr. Correa-Cabrera says. “They are going to apply for asylum in a desperate situation,” she said, calling the idea of immediate military intervention illogical.
It’s not as simple as killing top leaders either. Complicating the grip cartels have on Mexican society is their seemingly infinite complexity, Dr. Correa-Cabrera asserts.
“We’re not talking about businesses that operate vertically, like El Chapo and El Mayo, and all these guys that provide orders to everyone,” she said, referring to two infamous drug kingpins. Most cartels operate with less centralized command structures and are splintered into smaller cells. Some of these focus on drug movements and production, while others focus on kidnapping, extortion, and human smuggling.
Key Points:
- Escalation of Military Involvement: Trump proposes direct military action within Mexico’s borders to disrupt cartel operations. The article warns that such measures could escalate violence and disrupt the fragile dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations.
- Potential for Increased Violence: Experts, including Dr. Correa-Cabrera, highlight that military intervention might provoke fierce retaliation from cartels, exacerbating violence within both countries.
- Challenges to Sovereignty: The article emphasizes that violating Mexico’s sovereignty through unilateral military action could undermine trust between the two nations and hinder collaborative efforts against organized crime.
- Diplomatic Strain: Beyond operational risks, this approach risks deepening diplomatic tensions with Mexico, complicating essential joint security and counter-narcotic initiatives.
This article is provides a solid blueprint for unpacking the complex implications of cross-border military operations against non-state actors. Experts such as Doug Livermore, Bruce Hoffman, Carolyn Gallaher, and Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera offer critical perspectives on the geopolitical and societal risks of this strategy. They emphasize the need for cautious, well-coordinated approaches.
To fully understand the nuances and stakes involved in this issue, read the full article here on MSN.
