Trump Claims Drug Cartels Control Mexico, Warns of Expanded Action Against Traffickers

October 16, 2026

Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that drug cartels effectively control Mexico and warned that his administration would intensify efforts against trafficking networks operating across the US-Mexico border.

Speaking at a White House Rose Garden lunch honouring first responders, Trump said the United States had significantly reduced maritime drug trafficking and was preparing to expand operations targeting criminal networks on land. He acknowledged that Mexico’s president was unhappy with his assessment of the country’s security situation.

“We’re working with Mexico. But unfortunately, the cartels run Mexico. I tell that to the president of Mexico. She’s not happy. She’s a great woman, wonderful woman, but the cartels run Mexico,” Trump said.

Trump Claims Sharp Decline in Maritime Drug Trafficking

Trump said his administration initially focused on stopping drugs entering the United States through maritime routes, describing operations at sea as particularly challenging.

He claimed that drug flows through maritime routes had fallen by 97 per cent, although he did not specify the period covered or provide supporting data during his remarks.

The US President also described missile strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, saying the operations had discouraged traffickers from attempting maritime crossings.

“Those missiles come and they hit those boats dead center, and you feel terribly for the people,” he said.

Trump defended the strikes by arguing that drugs transported on such vessels were responsible for widespread deaths and had devastated American families. He also joked that the operations had discouraged recreational boating and fishing because people feared being mistaken for drug traffickers.

US President Signals Expanded Action on Land

Trump said his administration was preparing to intensify operations against trafficking routes on land, particularly those linked to Mexican cartels.

“We know all the paths, we know where all the bad guys are, the cartels. We know where they live and we’re hitting them hard, but it’s going to be harder as we go along,” he said.

He suggested that cartel members had been given a limited period to surrender but did not provide details about the warning or how it would be implemented.

“They know they have a certain period of time to essentially give up. Mexico should be doing it, but honestly, they’re not capable of doing it,” Trump said.

Trump Reports Drop in Fentanyl Flows

Trump separately claimed that fentanyl flows across the US southern border had declined by 67 per cent. He credited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol personnel with strengthening border security and confronting drug-trafficking organisations.

The President described the border as the most secure in American history and claimed that illegal crossings had fallen dramatically. However, he did not provide supporting figures for these assertions during the address.

Trump also praised National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez, who spoke at the gathering and credited the administration’s leadership with improving national security. Perez said the administration had provided unprecedented support to first responders and border enforcement personnel.

The remarks came as the Trump administration continued to prioritise border security, illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking in its domestic security agenda.

The United States and Mexico share an extensive land border and maintain close economic and security ties. Their cooperation against organised crime and drug trafficking has involved law enforcement coordination, intelligence sharing and efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across national boundaries.