Description: The US military has amped up surveillance operations using sophisticated spy planes along the US – Mexico border to counter drug proliferation and migrant surges. The operation launches as part of a broader strategy introduced by President Donald Trump to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations and counter drug proliferation and migrant activity alongside the border with Mexico. Sources reported concerns due to the involvement of the US military over law enforcement agencies as recent activities have shown the instigation of a possible migrant crisis and possible future escalation of violence from the drug cartels.
Impact: With the recent imposition on tariffs that mostly concerned Mexico, the designation of cartels as terrorist organizations and the migrant pressure, tensions on the US – Mexico border run high. The Mexican government has responded to Donald Trump’s request of subduing cartel activities with the deployment of 10,000 troops of its National Guard which was deemed insufficient by the US President. The involvement of the US military raises concerns over possible violence escalation especially from the cartels if and whether operations are launched on Mexican territory. The US and Mexico should facilitate some sort of a bilateral cooperation agreement to counter and resolve the ongoing security and political disputes. The US would continue pressuring Mexico into a hypothetical resolve of the migrant and drug proliferation problem, while Mexico should be expected to agree to severe concessions in order not to instigate a deeper border crisis.