Talks among Republican leaders about using U.S. military forces in Mexico are on the rise. The former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley has openly endorsed this idea.
She even boldly declared, “If Mexico won’t act, we will,” during a New Hampshire event. The crowd applauded her remarks.
However, this conversation isn’t limited to politicians in border states. Even politicians in Iowa and South Carolina have joined the chorus.
Amid all this, the fentanyl crisis grows more severe. The CDC has reported nearly 70,000 overdose deaths last year, a staggering fourfold increase in just five years.
Experts are weighing in on the issue. Eduardo Rosales, a scholar in international relations, notes that advisors and Congress would have a say in any decision.
Given that U.S.-Mexico trade reached $396.6 billion in just the first half of this year, he suggests that military action would hurt both countries economically.
Legal constraints are also a factor. Juan Daniel Garay Saldaña, an expert on U.S.-Mexico relations, says the Pentagon would face limitations.
He believes it’s unlikely these talks will lead to real action but acknowledges the rise in anti-Mexican sentiment.
Unfairly Blaming Mexico
From Mexico’s perspective, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador criticizes the U.S. for unfairly blaming his country for the fentanyl crisis.
He labels the Republican suggestions as mere “political moves.” Additionally, Eduardo Rosales critiques Mexico for lacking a coherent strategy against organized crime.
In summary, these discussions seem to serve more as political maneuvering to gain voter support, rather than a concrete plan for action.