World
Guatemala Agrees to Joint Raids with US Against Drug Cartels
Guatemala has consented to conduct joint military raids with the US targeting drug trafficking groups within its territory, according to sources familiar with negotiations.
According to the New York Times on Thursday, citing three individuals familiar with ongoing negotiations, Guatemala has agreed to carry out joint raids with the US military on its soil aimed at drug trafficking organizations.
The report also indicated that the US Department of Defense plans to pressure Honduras to approve joint military operations as part of the Trump administration's efforts to encourage Mexico to accept collaborative actions against drug smuggling, Reuters reported.
No statements have yet been issued by the White House, the US State Department, or the Department of Defense. Additionally, the Guatemalan and Honduran embassies in the United States have not responded to requests for comment, and attempts to contact the Guatemalan government have been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly expressed her openness to intelligence sharing and security cooperation with the United States but has firmly rejected the participation of US forces or personnel in operations conducted within Mexican territory.
US President Donald Trump has frequently called for expanding the use of American military force against Mexican drug cartels, warning that Washington might act unilaterally if Mexico is deemed insufficiently committed to combating drug trafficking.
