The Trump administration issued a fiery warning to Mexican drug cartels on Tuesday as hundreds of Americans remain stranded amid an explosion of retaliatory violence. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that any harm directed toward U.S. citizens would result in a devastating response from the commander-in-chief. "The Mexican drug cartels know not to lay a finger on a single American, or they will pay severe consequences under this president," Leavitt told "Fox & Friends."
The ultimatum follows a high-stakes military operation on Sunday that resulted in the death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was targeted by Mexican forces with the help of critical U.S. intelligence. Since the strike, cartel members have unleashed chaos across Mexico, setting vehicles ablaze and erecting road blockades that have trapped American tourists inside their resorts.
President Trump’s "day one" priority to dismantle these "vicious" networks has already resulted in the cartels being designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The administration has also authorized lethal strikes on drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific to stop the "deadly poison" from entering the country. Leavitt confirmed that the White House is pushing the Mexican government to "do more" to end the scourge of trafficking at the southern border.
The current unrest highlights the "deranged" nature of the CJNG, which Rep. Dan Crenshaw recently compared to ISIS rather than a traditional mafia. While the Mexican government recently extradited 37 cartel members to the U.S. under pressure, the death of El Mencho has triggered a desperate and violent power vacuum. Tourists in regions like Puerto Vallarta have been ordered to shelter in place as the State Department establishes emergency lines for evacuation.
The administration’s "unilateral lethal action" marks a massive shift from the "clunky" and ineffective policies of the previous four years. By capturing dictators like Nicolás Maduro and targeting cartel kingpins, the president is sending a clear message that the era of lawlessness is over. Leavitt emphasized that the White House will continue to coordinate and cooperate with Mexico to ensure the safety of Americans and the security of the homeland.
As the violence in Zapopan and other regions continues, the Trump administration remains focused on its "biological truth" of total border security. The president has signaled that he will not hesitate to use the full weight of the American military against any organization that targets U.S. citizens. For those trapped in the crossfire, the message from the White House is one of strength: "Back up off" our citizens, or face the consequences.