The US general has announced that there will be around 5,000 active duty soldiers along the southern border with Mexico as part of President Donald Trump’s overall push to crack down on immigration.
General Gregory Guillott, head of the US Northern Command, told lawmakers Thursday that he expects the number to rise further.
He also revealed that the military has increased its activities in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) beyond borders. Drug cartels were the main targets.
“We have also enhanced some unique military capabilities that chase after cartels that are promoting illegal migration,” Guillott said. “It’s primarily about getting more information about them through airborne ISRs and knowing how they can counter their actions.”
The presence of thousands of US troops along the border with Mexico has fulfilled the pledge of President Donald Trump’s campaign to declare a “national emergency” on the border in the southern United States.
On January 20th, the first day of his second term, Trump instructed military leaders to send “as many units or members of the military as needed” to the border, and to “full operational control” of the region. I have signed an executive order directing to get it. .
He also asked the U.S. Transportation Secretary to waive the restrictions on the “unmanned aerial systems” within eight kilometers (5 miles) of the border.
During his time as a politician, Trump relied on naturalist rhetoric that framed undocumented immigrants as “invasions” and those involved as “criminals.” Closing the border to irregular intersections was the cornerstone of his campaign for reelection, as he launched a “massive deportation” campaign.
Trump has also put pressure on his country’s neighbors to limit undocumented immigration, including the use of tariffs.
Before taking office in November, Trump plans to impose 25% of its goods on 25% of its goods from Canada and Mexico, and to impose Mexico, the country’s two largest trading partners. I did. We.
After being sworn in, Trump continued with his promise, and announced that tariffs would take effect in early February.
However, both Canada and Mexico negotiated a deal with Trump to postpone tariffs in exchange for concessions.
For example, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sent 10,000 members of her country’s National Guard to the US and the border in the name of the battle against drug trafficking and irregular migration.
The US and Mexico have long been working together on efforts to crack down on migration. Critics say it often comes at the expense of human rights.
After all, not all irregular migration is illegal. The US and international law protect asylum seekers’ rights to flee across borders to escape persecution.
Critics were also surprised by the possibility of US military action against the Mexican cartel.
During the first hours of his second term, Trump signed another executive order designating the cartel as a “foreign terrorist organization,” calling it an “unacceptable national security risk to the United States.”
Over the next few days, Trump’s “border emperor” Tom Homan told ABC News there could be a clash between a surge in US troops and a surge in cartels.
“Are you hoping that violence will escalate? Because absolutely, the cartels are making record money,” Homan said.
Other Republican officials, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have also expressed support for a military strike at the Mexican cartel.
However, the Mexican government believes rhetoric is accompanied by great vigilance, and maintains that such a strike represents a severe violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Nevertheless, Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum has not expressed vigilance about US military surveillance flights as it is currently happening in US soil. She addressed the topic at a press conference Thursday morning before Guillot offered his testimony in the United States.
“This is not the first time I’ve had a flight of this type, and it’s not from anywhere,” Sinbaum said.
“Would you explain it? Yes, but as part of my coordination with them.”
Meanwhile, when asked by US lawmakers if they would require the presence of a strike group for aircraft carriers near Mexico, Guillott said it would be necessary to “work with the Coast Guard to create a significant increase in maritime presence.” .
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