Cato Institute scholars have long analyzed the implications of such policies. In a recent blog post, From One Endless War to Another: Trump’s New Military Frontier in Mexico?, Brandan Buck warned of the serious risks:
Is the U.S. Heading Toward Military Action in Mexico?
In a reality plagued by the numerous quagmires of the Global War on Terror, a long-term military campaign in Mexico would be as politically and logistically challenging, especially if Mexico resists or if cartel violence escalates in response.
A Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation that would authorize the Trump administration to use military force “as the President determines necessary and appropriate against the covered cartels.”
In a reality plagued by the numerous quagmires of the Global War on Terror, a long-term military campaign in Mexico would be as politically and logistically challenging, especially if Mexico resists or if cartel violence escalates in response.”
Buck also cautioned in 2024 that while Republican circles have floated this idea before, it is especially dangerous now, given the cartels’ growing military capabilities and tactical sophistication.
Cato scholars have explored this issue in depth, including in these analyses:
- The Cognitive Shift: How the Terrorist Label May Lead to Another Forever War
- The U.S. Military Can’t Solve the Fentanyl Crisis
- Worse than Futile: What’s Wrong with Using the U.S. Military to Counter Fentanyl
- War with Mexico over Fentanyl Would Be Disastrous
For expert insights or interviews, contact mmiller@cato.org.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.