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highplainsdem

(52,947 posts)
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 10:27 AM Thursday

Here's What Trump's Mexico Invasion Plan Could Look Like: 'Iraq All Over Again' (Rolling Stone)

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-mexico-invasion-plan-1235223266/

-snip-

Rolling Stone reported in November that Donald Trump’s incoming administration is considering a “soft invasion” of Mexico, in which American special operations would be sent covertly to assassinate cartel leaders. One Trump adviser said Trump “believes it’s necessary to take some kind of military action against these killers.” Trump’s Cabinet picks, including his choices for secretary of defense, secretary of state, and border czar, have publicly supported the idea. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Trump’s pick for national security adviser, and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) even co-introduced legislation last year to create an Authorization for Use of Military Force to target Mexican drug cartels. Crenshaw argued the U.S. needs to be on a “war footing” against the cartels.

-snip-

Rolling Stone talked to half a dozen former special operations soldiers and intelligence agents to see what this saber-rattling might look like in practice. On paper, they argued it was an easy operation to dismantle the cartel leadership, something that our military — particularly units like SEAL Team Six and Delta Force — has mastered after two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. To a man, all said they’d volunteer for the mission.

-snip-

The real fear is that the violence wouldn’t stay confined to south of the border. A Green Beret-turned-CIA operator says past administrations considered using CIA Ground Branch — hybrid intelligence agents and commandos usually made up of former special operations soldiers — to combat the cartels, but the fear of cartel retribution against the operators and their families in the U.S. made it too risky. But the bigger danger could be to the estimated 1.6 million U.S. citizens living in Mexico, All Source News tells me.

-snip-

Most of the former special operations soldiers and officers argued the best course of action would be working with and through Mexican security forces, by embedding American advisers with the Mexican military, much like it did with Plan Colombia, the U.S.-backed initiative to combat drug trafficking and insurgency in Colombia through military aid, economic assistance, and social programs. Started in 2000, it reduced drug production and weakened insurgent groups like the FARC, but it took more than a decade and $10 billion.

-snip-

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Here's What Trump's Mexico Invasion Plan Could Look Like: 'Iraq All Over Again' (Rolling Stone) (Original Post) highplainsdem Thursday OP
Maybe Canada will invade us to take out Ilsa Thursday #1
Do any of us believe Trump would take out all cartels? I think the ones paying him off would be spared Attilatheblond Thursday #2
this is probably the most likely scenario 4catsmom Thursday #5
Rancher who lived in MT county we lived in had a winter home in Mexico for years Attilatheblond Thursday #7
Firstly, democracies don't invade other sovereign nations. Hugin Thursday #3
Insane talk awesomerwb1 Thursday #4
MAGATs would probabaly 4catsmom Thursday #6
Yeah right ($$$$ talks) awesomerwb1 Thursday #9
Americans are already involved in cartel 'imports/exports' Attilatheblond Thursday #8

Ilsa

(62,303 posts)
1. Maybe Canada will invade us to take out
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 10:40 AM
Thursday

the criminal or unethical CEOs and politicians whose policies, laws, etc, kill Americans.

Attilatheblond

(4,685 posts)
2. Do any of us believe Trump would take out all cartels? I think the ones paying him off would be spared
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 10:48 AM
Thursday

Those of us in the border lands would likely see a LOT of violence here at home should US military go overt in Mexico. Also a lot of Hispanics whose people have lived here in the US for generations would likely be dealing with a bunch of violence from maga militia types who likely would plead that Trump instructed them to kill 'illegals'.

The Bone Spur Commando just wants to find new ways to make money AND satisfy the blood lust he shares with his cult.

edited to close the italics

4catsmom

(323 posts)
5. this is probably the most likely scenario
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 01:10 PM
Thursday

I was planning to move to Mexico for retirement but now I don't think it's such a good idea. Trump ruins everything.

Attilatheblond

(4,685 posts)
7. Rancher who lived in MT county we lived in had a winter home in Mexico for years
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 02:03 PM
Thursday

We ran into him here shortly after we moved to AZ border lands. Said there were too many gringos forced into cartel activities, bringing drugs into California coast towns via boats the gringos owned. If the Americans didn't co-operate in timely manner, they were often found headless. So, our former county resident neighbors moved to the north side of the border rather than get caught up in cartel draft of Americans to move drugs.

I don't recommend Mexico as a retirement location right now.

Hugin

(34,857 posts)
3. Firstly, democracies don't invade other sovereign nations.
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 10:59 AM
Thursday

Even softly.

Secondly, the plan outlined here, “embedding American advisers with the Mexican military”, will yield another Viet Nam, not Iraq. Right on the southern border of the US. Charming.

“To a man, all said they’d volunteer for the mission.”

They should be sure to pack their dress uniforms for the big parade in Mexico City.

awesomerwb1

(4,619 posts)
4. Insane talk
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 12:29 PM
Thursday

That's one way to turn cartel sicarios into "domestic" US terrorists.

On the other hand, these MAGAts would welcome that in order for Trump to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. It sounds preposterous as I'm typing this.

Attilatheblond

(4,685 posts)
8. Americans are already involved in cartel 'imports/exports'
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 02:08 PM
Thursday

And I have known enough investigators in California to know that there are some pretty high place US businessmen/citizens who profit to co-operate or at least turn a blind eye. One very deep cover US LEO son of a friend got unalived after getting hard evidence against some highly placed US people who profited from drug sales here.

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