Trump calls Mexico epicenter of cartel violence at UN
Original reporting: Colima Noticias
What happened
Donald Trump said Mexico must regain control of territory he described as cartel-controlled, while citing U.S. cooperation with Claudia Sheinbaum’s government and alleged U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats.
Reporting and context
U.S. President Donald Trump said Mexico is the “epicenter” of cartel violence during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that the Mexican government must regain control of territory he said is controlled by drug-trafficking groups. Colima Noticias reported that Trump described Mexican cartels as “enemies of humanity” and said they have been designated as terrorist organizations since 2025.
Trump cited the 3,200-kilometer U.S.-Mexico border as unacceptable when discussing territory allegedly controlled by cartels. He also said his administration has an “excellent relationship” with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government and claimed that both countries want to eliminate the cartels.
The address also referenced the U.S. decision earlier this year to attack Venezuela to remove Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the United States on drug-trafficking charges. According to Colima Noticias, Trump said the United States had carried out at least 70 attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean that were allegedly involved in drug trafficking, killing 234 suspected traffickers. The report noted that some experts have characterized the attacks as extrajudicial executions.