The new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to rule out military action in Mexico, saying that "all options will be on the table" when dealing with foreign terrorist organizations, reports "The Independent".
Hegseth warned on Fox News that there would be a "shift" in the military's focus towards securing America's borders and protecting civilians.
Asked on Friday whether the order gives him the authority to "pursue" the cartels "in Mexico or wherever they are", Hegseth replied:
"I don't want to preempt the president and I won't. That will ultimately be his decision, but let me be clear, all options are on the table if we are dealing with what are defined as foreign terrorist organizations that are specifically targeting Americans on our border. We are finally securing our border. We have been securing other people's borders for a very long time. The military is reorienting, shifting to an understanding of protecting the country on our sovereign territorial border. This is something we will do, and we will do it decisively."
On his first day in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations as foreign terrorists, in an effort to pressure Mexico to control its illegal drug trade.
The order also gives the administration more authority to impose economic sanctions and travel restrictions, and potentially even take military action in foreign countries.
In a separate executive order also signed on Monday, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing the National Guard and military personnel to be sent to the border.
Trump also did not back down from his previously stated intention to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico.