A US Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft was observed conducting surveillance operations off the coast of Tijuana, Mexico. This activity comes in the wake of President Donald Trump‘s recent threats of potential military intervention regarding drug cartels operating in the country. The flight departed from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington and traversed through Oregon and California before circling the Pacific coast.
The P-8 Poseidon, equipped with advanced sensors, is primarily used for reconnaissance and maritime surveillance. It performed multiple circuits off the Mexican coastline and Southern California, operating within territorial waters and exclusive economic zones adjacent to San Diego and Tijuana. This mission raised questions about whether it was directly linked to Trump’s statements concerning military action against Mexico’s drug trafficking issues.
During a recent address, Trump voiced concerns about the influence of drug cartels, stating, “The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not.” He warned Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican President, to take decisive action against narcotics operations or risk facing US military measures. Trump’s comments suggested a willingness to consider military strikes similar to those in Venezuela, asserting, “Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It’s OK with me.”
These remarks have drawn international scrutiny. During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, various nations expressed their disapproval of Trump’s military strategies in Venezuela and potential threats toward Mexico and Colombia. French President Emmanuel Macron recently endorsed actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while France’s UN envoy criticized any violations of international law by permanent members of the Security Council.
Jay Dharmadhikari, the deputy French ambassador to the UN, stated that operations undermining international law threaten the global order. He emphasized that military actions contradict principles of peaceful dispute resolution. In contrast, US envoy Mike Waltz defended Trump’s approach, labeling it a justified law enforcement operation. He remarked, “If the United Nations confers legitimacy on an illegitimate narco-terrorist… what kind of organization is this?”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern over the legality of US military actions, highlighting the potential for setting troubling precedents in international relations. Guterres noted, “I am deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected,” following the military actions carried out on January 3.
The situation remains tense as diplomatic discussions continue. The implications of Trump’s statements and military posturing could significantly affect US-Mexico relations and the broader geopolitical landscape regarding narcotics trafficking and security.
