Donald Trump stirred controversy once more on Monday by suggesting he might consider military strikes on Mexico and Colombia to tackle drug trafficking into the United States.
These provocative remarks were made during a press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the two discussed the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
“Would I launch strikes on Mexico to stop drugs? It’s OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs. Mexico is…look I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There’s some big problems over there,” Trump stated.
He elaborated, “If we had to would we do there what we’ve done to the waterways? You know there is almost no drugs coming through our waterways anymore. Isn’t it down like 85%?”
Continuing, he said: “We have almost no drugs coming into our country by the sea. You know, the waterways. And you know why? Ok it’s pretty obvious. Would I do that on the land corridors? Look, every boat we knock out, we save 25,000 American lives – not to mention the destruction of families. These families are decimated forever. The mother, the father, the children, they never recover from it.”
“Do I feel the same way about the corridors they use? We know every one of them. We have every one of those corridors under major surveillance.”
Trump further added: “Colombia has cocaine factories where they make cocaine. Would I knock out those factories? I would be proud to do it personally. I didn’t say I’m doing it, I would be proud to do it.”
Since taking office for a second term, Trump has consistently pushed to fight drug trafficking, even authorizing the Department of Defense to conduct strikes on boats in the Caribbean suspected of smuggling drugs.
Despite these actions, no substantial evidence has validated the claims, and over 80 individuals have lost their lives in the attacks.
The meeting on Monday occurred just two weeks before the significant World Cup Draw, which will determine the matchups for the much-anticipated international soccer tournament next year.
The tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will kick off in June, with most games and the final held in the United States.
Infantino’s visit to the White House follows his previous praise of Trump, which could lead to repercussions.
“He does things. He does what he says. He says what he thinks. He actually says what many people think as well, but maybe don’t dare to say and that’s why he’s so successful,” Infantino remarked.
“I have to say it and I’m a bit surprised sometimes when we read some negative comments. I’m not American, but as far as I understand, President Trump was elected in the United States of America and was quite clearly elected,” he said.
“When you are in such a great democracy as the United States of America, you should first of all respect the results of the election, right?”
Alongside his positive comments, Infantino announced the creation of FIFA’s Peace Prize, naming Trump as its first recipient, shortly after Trump was bypassed for the Nobel Peace Prize in favor of Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Infantino’s remarks may violate FIFA’s code of ethics, which prohibits members from engaging in political matters.