• President Trump is open to launching military strikes against Mexican drug cartels.
• He asserts that expanded operations would focus on stopping drug trafficking.
• Trump has mentioned targeting cocaine factories in Colombia as part of his strategy.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum opposes unilateral U.S. military action.
• Recent U.S. operations have targeted maritime drug trafficking with military force.

President Donald Trump has indicated his willingness to conduct military strikes against drug cartels operating in Mexico, stating that he is prepared to take aggressive action to stop the smuggling of illegal narcotics into the United States. "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me," Trump remarked at a press event in the Oval Office. He emphasized the urgent need to counteract drug-related deaths, as current efforts are focused on disrupting supply lines through water routes, according to The Hill and Reuters.

Trump's strategy includes potential operations against cocaine laboratories in Colombia, where he asserted that destroying these facilities would save lives: "Would I knock out those factories? I would be proud to do it personally," he said. While Trump's comments indicate a shift towards more direct military engagement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained that the U.S. would not intervene unilaterally in Mexico, highlighting a conflict in the administration's messaging, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Despite Trump's aggressive posture, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has voiced her opposition to any such military measures on Mexican soil, asserting that cooperation between the two nations is at a historic high. In light of Trump’s recent comments, discussions about military action may face significant legal and diplomatic hurdles, particularly regarding international law and sovereignty, noted experts in Latin American relations, according to Al Jazeera.

The U.S. has already initiated extensive operations targeting maritime drug trafficking, including strikes against suspect vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. Reports have indicated that over 20 strikes have occurred since September, with at least 80 fatalities among suspected drug traffickers attributed to these actions, enhancing the narrative of a "war" against narcotics, according to The Hill, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.