U.S. Special Forces Deployed to Mexico for Marine Training in Cartel Combat – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
4:38 PM – Monday, February 17, 2025
Reports indicate that U.S. special forces have arrived in Mexico to instruct Mexican marine infantry in their fight against powerful cartel forces.
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This training initiative received the nod from a Mexican Senate commission after the proposal was backed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The move comes following the Trump administration’s push for the Mexican government to intensify its response to the violence and drug trafficking linked to cartels that send lethal substances into the United States.
It is estimated that Mexican drug cartels control approximately 70% of the foreign narcotics entering the U.S., indicating that a vast majority of illicit drugs in the U.S. originate from these groups. They also serve as a trafficking intermediary for other nations, including China.
“The chemicals utilized in the production of fentanyl are procured from China by traffickers and transformed into the finished product in laboratories within Mexico prior to being smuggled into the U.S.,” reported the BBC.
Training sessions are slated to commence on February 17th and conclude on March 30th, with a focus on both conventional and unconventional combat strategies, as revealed by Sen. Alejandro Moreno Cardenas, who chairs the Senate Naval Ministry Commission.
The Green Berets from the 7th Special Forces Group will lead the training sessions. This unit has a history of operations in Latin American nations, including Panama, Peru, and Ecuador.
Additionally, the group has been deployed previously in Afghanistan and participated in “Operation Just Cause,” which culminated in the capture of Panamanian dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega in 1990, who was sought in the U.S. on drug-related charges.
Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asserted that the United States “reserves the right” to take action against Mexican cartels if the Mexican government fails to effectively address the violent cartel activities.
“We want them to ensure their own territory and sovereignty, but we also reserve the right – should there be a failure to manage international and violent cartels – to defend our own sovereignty as well. We anticipate and hope Mexico will rise to the occasion,” Hegseth remarked.
This collaborative training effort follows President Donald Trump’s executive order classifying Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, with threats of tariffs directed at Mexican imports if the country does not cooperate in dismantling the cartels.
Scott Stewart, vice president of intelligence at TorchStone Global, an international security consulting agency, stated: “It’s crucial to emphasize that the role of the Green Berets is exclusively focused on training.”
“They are not deploying SEALs, Delta (Force) operatives, or (Army) Rangers. This mission does not involve the deployment of combat troops or aircraft,” he elaborated, stressing that the initiative is limited to training purposes.
“This endeavor appears primarily aimed at encouraging the Mexican government to enhance its actions while also presenting the U.S. as a supportive partner in training efforts,” Stewart added.
Despite this, some users on social media have raised concerns regarding the U.S.-Mexico marine training initiative.
“I have concerns… could we be inadvertently training cartel members in our strategies and methodologies?” inquired an X user.
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