Republican Presidential Candidates Want To Invade Mexico To Fight Drug Cartels, Experts Say This Is a Bad Idea

By Rick Martin Oct 08 2023, 21:25 PM EDT

Republicans are getting more and more criticism regarding their idea of invading Mexico to hunt down drug cartels. This came after several Republican presidential candidates suggested such an idea in the second Republican Presidential Debate.

During that debate, Nikki Haley promised to send US special forces to Mexico, while Vivek Ramaswamy accused Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of treating drug cartels as his "sugar daddy," claiming that if he wins the presidency, "there will be a new daddy in town."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also interested in the plan, and so is former President Donald Trump, who, during his presidency, infamously floated the idea of bombing Mexico to attack the drug labs controlled by the cartels.

However, many pointed out that even if the US military were only targeting the cartels, it would still be a potential act of war to send troops to an allied country without its consent, as this would be a challenge to Mexico's sovereignty. Despite this, Republican candidates are still saying they would do it.

Analysts and nonpartisan experts have pointed out that "military force is not the answer and instead fuels the racism and xenophobia that undermine efforts to stop drug trafficking."

"You've got politicking on this side. And then on the Mexican side of the border, you've got a president who is turning a blind eye to what's going on in Mexico and who has completely gutted bilateral collaboration with the United States," former Mexican Ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhan told the Associated Press. "That's a very combustible mixture."

Despite all the criticism, Tony Payan, director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, stated that people must take what the Republican presidential candidates are saying seriously.

"But they are pretty much going off the rails. They are engaged in political theater, and they find Mexico an easy target," he added, as these ideas are potentially dangerous.

Republican Presidential Candidates' Suggestion of Invading Mexico Could Backfire

The Miami Herald presented several scenarios that might happen should the US send troops to Mexico to fight the drug cartels. This includes a likely response by Mexico by expelling the DEA and other US law enforcement and intelligence agencies as a protest to the US violating Mexican sovereignty.

Another potential scenario would be Mexico finally deciding not to cooperate on the migration crisis and not help stop migrants from going to the US-Mexico border. In addition, sending troops might also cause trade issues with the US's top trade partner, which is, of course, Mexico. This might slow down trade and would negatively impact the US economy.

Should the US also send troops to Mexico, it would be a mockery of the country's criticisms against Russia for invading Ukraine.

Republican Presidential Candidates Posturing With Idea To Send Troops To Mexico

Some critics say that the Mexico invasion idea may just be a gesture of being "strong on crime" and "strong on border security." However, dismissing these ideas as purely political would be a mistake.

According to VOX, "Many of these proposals conflate drug trafficking, undocumented migration, and violence as various problems caused by cartels that could be solved with sufficient amounts of American ordnance."

While experts find the idea absurd, the idea might become a reality, especially with Donald Trump as the Republican presidential frontrunner.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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