Trump pauses proposed airstrikes on Mexico as bilateral ties improve

Donald Trump has reportedly shelved the plan to launch U.S. airstrikes against Mexican drug cartels, a proposal he floated at the start of his second term. Relations between Washington and Mexico have markedly improved, with recent intelligence assistance leading to the capture of Jalisco New Generation Cartel chief Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, who died shortly after his arrest. The Trump administration has praised Mexico’s recent anti-cartel actions and indicated that a new trade deal may be close to completion.

In a United Nations address, Trump declared the bilateral relationship “very good” and noted significant progress. The shift follows a $15 million bounty offered for information on El Mencho and the designation of the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization last year.