Trump Suggests “Full Blast” War on Cartels in Mexico is “Starting”
President Trump on Thursday said targeting of the Mexican drug cartels on land has been ongoing for months and that a “full blast” attack on the drug traffickers is now underway.
Trump delivered the remarks at a Rose Garden lunch with first responders this afternoon.
A White House official said the following organizations were in attendance: International Association of Fire Fighters, National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Sheriffs Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Border Patrol Council, and International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The comments about an escalation with the cartels on land come amid escalating hostilities between the cartels and US law enforcement. Earlier this month, US Coast Guard personnel reportedly exchanged gunfire with individuals across the border in Starr County, Texas. Also this month, a Mexican cartel threatened to kidnap federal agents at the Texas-Mexico border.
Hundreds of additional US troops have recently been deployed to Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.
“I will tell you the drugs coming in by sea, by ocean, by sea are down 97 percent, and we don’t understand why it’s not 100 percent,” Trump said on Thursday, highlighting the US military and Coast Guard’s war on drug trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea.
He then said that a “full blast” targeting of the cartels on land is “starting.”