Bangladesh, Jan. 10 -- US President Donald Trump has reignited tensions across the Western Hemisphere by openly signaling that his administration could order military strikes against drug cartels operating on Mexican territory. The remarks, delivered during a televised interview and reinforced by recent US military actions in the Caribbean, have sparked concern among regional governments and renewed debate over sovereignty, security cooperation, and the expanding scope of Washingtons counter-narcotics strategy.

Trumps comments came just days after US special forces carried out a high-profile raid in Caracas that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, which US officials justified by accusing ...