Bangladesh, Aug. 9 -- The Trump administration is actively evaluating a range of military options to counter the growing threat posed by Mexican drug cartels, according to current and former US officials familiar with the discussions. This consideration marks a potential and dramatic escalation of US involvement in Latin America, raising complex questions about sovereignty, international relations, and the future of US-Mexico cooperation on security.

Reports indicate that the administrations plans span a broad spectrum-from naval destroyers launching missile strikes targeting cartel leaders and infrastructure, to more traditional partnerships with Mexican authorities aimed at dismantling the criminal networks. A senior US official, who s...