Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suggested using drone strikes against Mexican drug cartels.
What Happened: DeSantis, at an Iowa campaign event, said he would use “whatever force we need” to combat Mexican drug cartels, when asked if drone strikes on Mexican soil were on the table, The Hill reported.
“We will lean in against the drug cartels. We will absolutely reserve the right, if they're invading our country and killing our people, we have the right to defend this country,” he said.
"We have the right to hold them accountable and it's not just if they happen to come over our border. If Mexico is not going to help us with that, well then we're going to have to do what we have to do," he continued.
DeSantis equates the cartels to a “foreign terrorist organization,” blaming them for “killing tens of thousands of Americans” annually, possibly referring to U.S. overdose deaths linked to drugs trafficked by the cartels.
Why It Matters: DeSantis’ remarks come amid his ongoing conflict with the Mexican government over his state’s immigration policy and treatment of migrants.
These comments echo a growing sentiment among Republicans for military intervention in Mexico. Former President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for “battle plans” for Mexico if reelected.
DeSantis recently signed a law removing fentanyl test strips from the state’s list of prohibited drug paraphernalia, a move expected to curb opioid overdoses.
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