A seismic and clandestine proposal from Donald Trump's inner circle has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and defence communities. According to a leaked strategy document, the former President is preparing an explosive plan to deploy unauthorised lethal military strikes against Mexican drug cartels if he wins the 2024 election.
The radical strategy, devised by key advisers, would see US special forces and military assets conducting covert operations on Mexican soil without the explicit permission of the Mexican government. This unprecedented move would dramatically escalate the so-called 'war on cartels' and fundamentally challenge long-standing international norms on sovereignty.
Bypassing Foreign Governments
At the heart of the controversial plan is a doctrine that would allow Trump to bypass the need for foreign government consent when targeting perceived threats. Advisers argue that existing congressional authorisations for the use of military force (AUMFs) could be stretched to justify such actions, treating powerful cartels as akin to terrorist organisations like ISIS.
This legal interpretation is expected to face fierce opposition, not only from Mexico but also from within the US legal and political establishment, setting the stage for a major constitutional clash.
The 'Unprecedented' Leak and Campaign Response
The revelation comes from a lengthy internal memo, marked as 'unprecedented', which was obtained by journalists. While the Trump campaign has not explicitly denied the memo's contents, a spokesperson stated that the former President would employ every tool at his disposal to defend Americans from the cartels.
This stance echoes Trump's previous public threats to use 'special forces' and 'cyber warfare' to disrupt cartel operations, signalling a hardline approach that would mark a sharp departure from current policy.
International Law and Diplomatic Fallout
Such unilateral action would almost certainly constitute a breach of international law and could severely damage the critical, albeit complex, relationship between the United States and Mexico. The plan is likely to be viewed as a blatant violation of Mexican sovereignty, potentially provoking a severe diplomatic crisis.
Analysts suggest that implementing this strategy would alienate a key ally, destabilise the region, and create a dangerous precedent for cross-border military operations worldwide.
The leak of this secret plan ensures that Trump's approach to national security and international relations will become a central and intensely contentious issue in the upcoming presidential race.
