The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is preparing for an expanded role in combating Mexican drug cartels under President Donald Trump, a shift that could redefine U.S. counter-narcotics operations in the region. The agency is devising plans to enhance intelligence-sharing with regional governments, train local counter-narcotics units, and potentially engage in covert operations, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The move signals a strategic pivot for the CIA, which in recent years has prioritized counterespionage against China, counterterrorism in the Middle East and Africa, and support for Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Now, with a renewed focus on drug trafficking and its impact on the United States, the agency is applying its expertise in infiltrating and disrupting terrorist networks to the fight against cartels.
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe has indicated that leveraging counterterrorism tactics in the war against cartels is a logical next step.
“Lessons learned in the counterterrorism realm are applicable to the counternarcotics and counter-cartel mission,”
-said a person with knowledge of the agency’s plans, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
A CIA spokesperson confirmed that,
“countering drug cartels in Mexico and the region is a priority as part of the Trump Administration’s broader efforts to address the grave threat of narcotics trafficking. Director Ratcliffe is committed to utilizing the CIA’s expertise to confront this challenge.”
A High-Risk Strategy
The emphasis on increased intelligence-sharing and tactical support for anti-drug forces within Mexico and other Latin American countries raises questions about the potential deployment of U.S. operatives on foreign soil. While there is no formal plan to deploy U.S. military or CIA personnel for direct action against cartel leaders, the mere suggestion of such operations has alarmed former intelligence and diplomatic officials.
“I don’t think people fully appreciate what that could mean,” said a former U.S. intelligence official with experience in the region. “Operating in lawless areas like Yemen or Somalia is one thing. Mexico is a different challenge altogether.”
For now, Pentagon officials maintain that there are no current plans for direct U.S. military involvement. However, the CIA’s increased footprint and the Trump administration’s rhetoric suggest a more aggressive posture in countering cartel influence.
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Diplomatic Concerns
The Trump administration’s muscular approach to drug trafficking—including the deployment of troops to the southern border and threats of trade tariffs—has already strained U.S.-Mexico relations. The prospect of expanded CIA activity further complicates diplomatic efforts.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signaled a willingness to cooperate with Washington but has made clear that Mexico will not operate as a subordinate to U.S. demands. In response to Trump’s tariff threats, Sheinbaum announced the deployment of 10,000 troops to Mexico’s northern border. However, she has consistently maintained that Mexico must handle security matters independently.
Trump has falsely claimed that 300,000 Americans die annually due to drugs entering the U.S. from Mexico. The actual figure is closer to 90,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and overdose deaths have been on a decline since 2023.
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Intelligence Shifts and Challenges
The CIA’s shift in focus toward Latin America allows Ratcliffe to align the agency’s priorities with Trump’s emphasis on crime, drugs, and migration. However, reallocating resources toward counter-cartel operations may come at the expense of other intelligence priorities, such as China.
Two former U.S. officials have expressed concerns that other crucial intelligence programs could suffer from this reallocation. While Ratcliffe has reaffirmed that intelligence on China remains his top priority, the broader restructuring of the federal government under Trump has prompted uncertainty within the agency.
The CIA currently maintains a strong presence in Mexico and Colombia, but its new mission could require further expansion. “Where are these bodies coming from?” one former intelligence official asked, referring to the potential need for increased staffing and resources.
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Policy Implications
Trump’s aggressive stance on drug cartels has led to renewed discussions about designating certain Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations—a move that could have significant legal and operational ramifications.
Such a designation would allow the U.S. to apply counterterrorism surveillance tactics to cartel-related investigations and could open the door to unilateral military action in Mexico. Trump has not acted on this proposal. Previous administrations used the threat of such designations as leverage in negotiations with the Mexican government.
Former U.S. officials warn that treating drug cartels as equivalent to terrorist organizations risks unintended consequences.
“You have to understand the historical context,” said William Brownfield, a former U.S. ambassador to Colombia. “Mexico has a visceral reaction to U.S. intervention.”
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A Complex Battlefield
The CIA’s renewed focus on intelligence collection and cooperation with Latin American governments is reflected in Trump’s diplomatic appointments. His nominee for ambassador to Mexico, Ron Johnson, has extensive experience in the CIA, underscoring the administration’s intent to integrate intelligence efforts into its broader counter-narcotics policy.
However, experts caution that intelligence alone is not enough. “You need a multi-pronged approach,” said Daniel Gerstein, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation and a former U.S. Army colonel. “Drug interdiction, eradication, intelligence-sharing, and economic development must work in tandem.”
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As the Trump administration continues to push for an escalated war on cartels, questions remain about the long-term efficacy and unintended consequences of these policies. With tensions rising and U.S.-Mexico relations hanging in the balance, the battle against narcotics trafficking is entering a new—and potentially volatile—phase.
