Trump makes chilling threat to country as he details next move to combat drug trafficking

Donald Trump has made a chilling threat against one of the US' neighbours.

The president's threat comes just days after he launched a strike against Venezuela and US special forces detained Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a move which has been widely condemned as breaking international law.

The US has claimed that the action against Venezuela was to push back against drug trafficking, and Maduro is facing charges including ones relating to drugs.

Trump has also escalated his rhetoric around the US taking Greenland from Denmark, claiming that it is in the interests of 'national security', again to widespread condemnation from the international community.

But now, Trump has turned his attention closer to the US border, threatening US militarily action on the ground over drug trafficking.

Trump is pursuing increasingly expansionist rhetoric in his second term (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

This time, Trump's eye has turned to the US' southern border with Mexico.

“We knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water, and we are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels,” Trump told FOX News.

“The cartels are running Mexico. It’s very sad to watch and see what’s happened to that country, but the cartels are running it."

He added: "We've done a really good job, we're knocking it down, the numbers are always going to be too high if you have one person, but just like the border, the border was a total mess for years."

Trump's threat have come after remarks from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly opposing US military intervention against drug cartels which are operating in Mexico.

Sheinbaum told a press briefing in Mexico City that Mexico would only co-operate with the US on security if the country's sovereignty and territory were respected.

She said: “It is necessary to reaffirm that in Mexico, the people rule, and that we are a free, independent and sovereign country.

“Cooperation, yes. Subordination and intervention, no.”

Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum said that Mexico's territorial integrity must be respected (Jeannette Flores/ObturadorMX/Getty Images)

Trump's administration appears to be taking an aggressive and expansionist tone in recent weeks, making open claims about Greenland, as well as seeking to prosecute Maduro under US law and saying that the US will 'run' Venezuela, though it is not clear precisely what this means.

US actions have led to criticism that, in acting in such a rash manner, Trump undermines its ability to oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to push back against China if it were to invade Taiwan.

Trump appears to have rejected criticisms that his actions contravene international law, telling the New York Times that 'my own morality, my own mind' is 'the only thing that can stop me'.

Nonetheless, he conceded 'I do' when asked if his government has to adhere to international law, though added: “It depends on what your definition of international law is.”

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