Trump says he would be 'OK' launching strikes in Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that U.S. military action in the country without her permission will not happen.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump opened the door Monday to launching U.S. strikes in Mexico, a move that would be a dramatic escalation of his administration’s fight against drug cartels.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump answered a question about potentially striking Mexico or sending American troops or other personnel into the country by saying it would be “OK with me."

“Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs. Mexico is — look, I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There’s some big problems over there,” Trump said after he was asked whether he was considering such action.

Asked whether he would conduct strikes only with Mexico’s permission, Trump said he “wouldn’t answer that question.” He added that he has been speaking with the country, adding that Mexico knows “how I stand.”

“We’ve stopped the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the addresses of every drug lord,” Trump said. “We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. They’re killing our people. That’s like a war. Would I do it? I’d be proud to.”