US Pentagon sends stark warning to Mexico amid growing tensions over cartels

Anonymous sources have revealed that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Mexico’s top military officials during their first call in January that the Pentagon was prepared to act unilaterally if Mexico didn’t address government collusion with drug cartels.

Mexican officials have been shocked and angered by the remark, interpreting Hegseth's words as a suggestion of military action inside Mexico, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Although the US Defense Department declined to comment on the matter, which reportedly took place on January 31, experts believe that this requirement could cast a shadow over Mexico’s trade talks with President Trump, who has announced of his plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Mexican imports.

Following the announcement of Trump's intentions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum secured a one-month tariff delay on February 3 by deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to the their border with the US, but the proposed fees are set to take effect on March 4.

Mexico’s recent extradition of 29 high-profile drug cartel leaders facing US charges was seen as another concession to Trump. Additionally, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed Mexico had proposed matching US tariffs on China, calling it a “very interesting proposal.”

By Nazrin Sadigova