Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau lamented the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo and stated that the United States is willing to collaborate with Mexican authorities to eradicate organized crime in both nations.

However, in addition to diplomatic channels, former high-ranking U.S. officials revealed that the Trump administration has begun to plan in detail a new mission to send US troops and intelligence officers to Mexico with the objective of combating drug cartels.

According to NBC News, both active-duty US officials have already begun the initial stages of training for the potential mission, which would include ground operations in Mexico.

Despite this, they said, a deployment to Mexico is not imminent. Discussions about the scope of the mission are ongoing and no final decision has yet been made, the two active-duty US officials added.

The US troops, many of them belonging to the Joint Special Operations Command, would operate under the authority of the US intelligence community, pursuant to Title 50, the two officials indicated. They added that CIA agents would also participate. The mission currently being planned would represent a break with previous US administrations, which have discreetly deployed CIA, military, and police teams to Mexico to support local police and army units fighting the cartels, but not to take direct action against them. If the mission receives final approval, the administration plans to maintain secrecy about it and not disclose the associated actions, as has been leaked. Meanwhile, Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau lamented the assassination of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, and stated that the United States is willing to collaborate with Mexican authorities to eradicate organized crime in both countries.

“The United States is prepared to deepen security cooperation with Mexico to eradicate organized crime on both sides of the border.

For his part, Ambassador Ronald Johnson stated that the U.S. and Mexico will continue strong and sovereign security efforts to provide security for both nations and offer a quality of life for society.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Mayor Carlos Manzo.

“We stand united with Mexico as sovereign partners and friends, with a firm commitment to ensuring justice and strengthening the security that our communities deserve,” the U.S. official explained.

Carlos Manzo was murdered in the Historic Center of Uruapan during a family Day of the Dead celebration.

Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan, died after being shot while in the Historic Center of the municipality during the Candle Festival on Saturday night, December 1. November.