The New York Times reports that U.S. officials are pressing Mexico to allow American forces — specifically Special Operations troops or CIA officers — to join Mexican soldiers on raids of suspected fentanyl labs. President Trump has threatened military action against drug cartels, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she ruled out a U.S. intervention after talks with Trump. Reuters could not immediately verify the NYT account and U.S. and Mexican officials did not respond outside business hours.
US Presses Mexico To Allow American Forces In Joint Raids On Fentanyl Labs, NYT Reports
The border wall between the United States and Mexico, after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she ruled out a U.S. military intervention to combat drug cartels, following a "good conversation" on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump on security and drug trafficking, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
Jan 15 (Reuters) - The United States has stepped up efforts to persuade Mexico to permit American military personnel to take part in joint operations targeting fentanyl laboratories on Mexican soil, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing U.S. officials.
The report says U.S. officials are seeking permission for either Special Operations troops or CIA officers to accompany Mexican soldiers on raids of sites suspected to house fentanyl production facilities. Multiple unnamed U.S. officials spoke to the New York Times for the account.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that cartels "are running" Mexico and suggested the United States could strike land targets to counter them — comments that form part of a broader pattern of threats to use U.S. military power against drug-trafficking groups.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week she ruled out a U.S. military intervention to fight cartels following what she described as a "good conversation" with President Trump about security and drug trafficking. She has previously declined offers of direct U.S. military action.
Attribution and Verification: The New York Times report also said the U.S. request was renewed after what it described as the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on Jan. 3. Reuters could not immediately verify the New York Times account. The White House and Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment outside regular business hours.
The situation highlights growing U.S. concern about fentanyl production and the political sensitivities of any cross-border security cooperation. Mexican authorities have consistently emphasized sovereignty and law-enforcement leadership in operations on Mexican territory.
Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Aidan Lewis.
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