US pressures Mexico for joint military raids on clandestine fentanyl labs

The US is intensifying pressure on Mexico to permit joint military operations aimed at dismantling clandestine fentanyl laboratories within its borders.

According to the New York Times, this push coincides with Donald Trump’s efforts to compel the Mexican government to grant the American military a significantly larger role in the fight against drug cartels that produce fentanyl and smuggle it into the US.

Officials stated that while the proposal was initially raised early last year and subsequently shelved, it has gained renewed momentum. According to several officials, the demand resurfaced following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces on January 3, involving the highest levels of government, including the White House.

Sources speaking to the NYT indicated that US officials want American forces—such as special operations units or CIA agents—to accompany Mexican soldiers during raids on suspected fentanyl production sites.

Such joint operations would represent a major expansion of the US role in Mexico, a move the Mexican government has so far vehemently opposed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly stated that while the two nations will collaborate to combat cartels, her administration rejects any proposal to deploy American troops across the border.

Following a phone call with Trump on Monday morning, Sheinbaum addressed the issue during a press conference:

“Trump is generally insistent on the involvement of US forces. We always maintain that this is not necessary. Trump was understanding; he listened, expressed his views, and we agreed to continue working together.”

The White House declined to comment, but last week Trump told Fox News that more must be done within Mexico to confront the drug cartels.

“We have eliminated 97% of the drugs coming by water, and now we will take action against the cartels on land as well,” the President said, specifically referring to those based in Mexico.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Mexican officials presented counter-proposals this month, suggesting increased information sharing and a larger role for the US within command centers as an alternative to joint field operations.

American officials noted that US advisors are already stationed in Mexican military command centers, sharing intelligence to assist Mexican forces in counter-narcotics operations.

Some American officials are advocating for the US military or the CIA to conduct drone strikes on suspected drug laboratories—a move that would significantly undermine the Mexican government by violating its national sovereignty.

Conversely, US officials pointed out that locating and destroying fentanyl laboratories is exceptionally difficult, and Washington is still developing the tools necessary to identify these production sites.

According to current and former officials, these laboratories leave a smaller chemical footprint than methamphetamine labs, which can be detected by drones. Fentanyl is often produced in urban areas using simple equipment found in a standard family kitchen.

In contrast, methamphetamine and cocaine laboratories require much larger spaces, making them significantly easier to detect.

Under the Biden administration, the CIA began conducting clandestine drone flights over Mexico to identify potential fentanyl lab locations. This operation has expanded since Trump took office.

According to a US official familiar with the operation, drones are being utilized both to locate laboratories and to track precursor chemicals as they arrive at Mexican ports and are transported to their final destinations.

This intelligence is currently shared with Mexican military units, many of which were trained by US Special Operations Forces. Mexican soldiers then plan and execute raids to dismantle the labs.

Under Washington’s new proposal, American forces would participate in these Mexican-led raids, assuming command of the missions and making critical decisions. US forces would support frontline Mexican units by providing real-time intelligence and advisory assistance.

Regarding the planning for Mexico, the Department of Defense stated in a release that it is “ready at all times and in all places to carry out the orders of the commander-in-chief.”

The success of the raid in Venezuela earlier this month appears to have emboldened the Trump administration.

Shortly after that operation, Trump suggested that regime change in Cuba was the next objective and revived Washington’s demands to take control of Greenland.

While Washington has focused on Maduro and Venezuela as primary sources of drugs smuggled into the US, the South American nation actually plays a minor role in the illicit trade. The vast majority of drugs smuggled into the US cross the 2,000-mile (3,200 km) border shared with Mexico.

Fentanyl is responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in the US and is by far the most dangerous street drug.

Last year, the White House designated fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” and labeled several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

The Trump administration began demanding entry for US forces into Mexico shortly after taking office last year, but Mexican officials have consistently rejected these proposals, demanding that Washington respect their sovereignty.