President Donald Trump isn’t backing off his hardline rhetoric following the United States’ Saturday strikes on Venezuela. Instead, he’s widening the scope.
In an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Trump said that “something is going to have to be done with Mexico,” a remark that immediately raised eyebrows given the timing. The comments came just hours after the U.S. launched military strikes on Venezuela, a move that has already sent shockwaves across the region.
When asked directly whether the attack was meant to send a message to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump denied it. “It wasn’t meant to be,” he said. Still, he made it clear that Mexico remains squarely in his sights.
Trump claimed he has spoken with Sheinbaum repeatedly about the influence of drug cartels, and he didn’t hold back in describing what he believes is happening south of the border.
“The cartels are running Mexico. She’s not running Mexico. We could be politically correct and be nice and say, ‘Oh, yes, she is.’ No, no. She’s very frightened of the cartels. They’re running Mexico,” Trump said.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico,” he continued.
That single line may end up carrying more weight than the strikes themselves. Trump has long argued that Mexico’s government has lost control to organized crime, using that claim to justify tougher border policies and aggressive enforcement. Now, with military action already underway in Venezuela, critics fear the rhetoric could be laying the groundwork for something more.
Mexico’s response was swift and firm. Sheinbaum said her government “strongly condemns and rejects” the strikes on Venezuela, signaling clear opposition to the U.S. action and distancing her administration from Trump’s approach.
The comments also risk inflaming already tense U.S.-Mexico relations. While Trump insists his words weren’t directed at Sheinbaum personally, his portrayal of her as powerless against cartels is likely to be seen in Mexico as an insult — and possibly a threat.
For now, there’s no indication of what Trump means by “something” needing to be done. But given his history, few are taking the statement lightly.
Watch the clip below:
Trump says "something is gonna have to be done" about Mexico and President Claudia Sheinbaum in response to a question about whether the Venezuelan strike was a "message" to her government. pic.twitter.com/1fWlbaKnSN
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) January 3, 2026
