What's happened
Donald Trump is reportedly considering deploying American assassination squads to Mexico to target drug cartel leaders without the Mexican government's consent.
Why it matters
The potential deployment of American assassination squads to Mexico, if Donald Trump is re-elected, could have significant implications for US-Mexico relations, regional stability, and international law. Such a move would likely escalate tensions and raise serious ethical and legal concerns.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Donald Trump is privately considering a plan to deploy American assassination squads to Mexico to target drug cartel leaders without the Mexican government's consent. The New York Times highlights the preparations being made by government officials and campaign aides in Mexico ahead of the US presidential election, anticipating a potential return of Trump to power and the implications for US-Mexico relations.
How we got here
Donald Trump's reported consideration of deploying assassination squads to Mexico is not the first time he has discussed aggressive measures to address gang violence in the country. In 2017, during his presidency, Trump reportedly expressed willingness to send US troops to deal with criminal elements in Mexico.
More on these topics
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Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.