The Trump administration became the subject of wide-scale controversy on Thursday after it was reported that U.S. troops mistakenly invaded Mexico.
The move drew attention amid tense U.S.-Mexico relations.
President Donald Trump said that he would be proud to bomb drug cartels in Mexico, who he claims are pouring drugs into the U.S. through the southern border, and have been for years.
“Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? 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 said earlier this week.
The president has taken decisive action to limit drug crimes in the U.S. His administration has fired missiles at Venezuelan drug boats.
With the Trump administration now in a standoff with Mexico, the presence of U.S. troops at a Mexican beach sparked fear and confusion.
On Monday, contractors working at the Pentagon arrived at Playa Bagdad, prompting locals to tip off Mexican security.
Trucks with machine guns were seen on the beach as the Mexican authorities arrived.
The Pentagon later said that the troops mistakenly landed on the beach.
The soldiers were seen putting up signs declaring the beach to be the property of the Department of Defense (DOD).
The signs were written in English and Spanish.
“Restricted Area: This Department of Defense property has been declared a restricted area by authority of the commander in accordance with the provisions of the directive issued by the secretary of defense, pursuant to the provisions of Section 21, Internal Security Act of 1950,” the sign read. “Unauthorized entry is prohibited.”
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico shared a Pentagon statement that clarified the situation, per the Daily Mail.
“Changes in water depth and topography altered the perception of the international boundary’s location,” the statement read. “Government of Mexico personnel removed 6 signs based on their perception of the international boundary’s location.”
In January, the president was asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy if he would consider sending U.S. Special Forces into Mexico to take out drug cartels.
“Could happen. Stranger things have happened,” the president said on Inauguration Day.
Trump’s statement from 10 months ago appears to have been relevant, with the president reiterating such comments and reports indicating that his administration could invade Mexico without authorization from Congress.
“The Trump administration has begun detailed planning for a new mission to send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target drug cartels, according to two U.S. officials and two former senior U.S. officials familiar with the effort,” NBC News reported. “The early stages of training for the potential mission, which would include ground operations inside Mexico, has already begun, the two current U.S. officials said.”
