U.S. Plans Covert JSOC, CIA Mission in Mexico

The Trump administration has begun detailed planning and early training for a potential mission to send U.S. troops—largely Joint Special Operations Command forces—and CIA personnel into Mexico to target powerful drug cartels with ground operations and drone strikes, according to multiple U.S. officials and media reports. The proposal would focus on high-value cartel leaders and drug labs, operate under U.S. intelligence (Title 50) authority and be kept covert if approved. Officials say deployment is not imminent and no final White House authorization has been given, but the plan builds on the administration’s broader campaign against cartels and recent designations that officials say broaden authority to act. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly rejected any unilateral U.S. intervention, citing sovereignty concerns. Analysts warn the operation would raise major legal, diplomatic and sovereignty issues and would represent one of the boldest U.S. interventions in Mexico in decades.