Rubio Vows US Will Ramp Up Strikes on Drug Cartels

But He Assures Mexico of Respect for Its Sovereignty, Lauds Efforts of Its President

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MEXICO - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed on Sept. 3 that the US would ramp up strikes on cartels after blowing up an alleged drug boat he linked to Venezuela, but he assured Mexico of respect for its sovereignty.

In the highest-level meeting between the two neighbors since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, Mr. Rubio met Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has calmly sought cooperation in the complicated relationship with Washington, for 1½ hours in Mexico City.

Mr. Rubio was scheduled to meet leaders in Ecuador on Sept. 4, led by right-wing ally Daniel Noboa.

The visit came a day after Mr. Trump said US forces blew up an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean that he claimed belonged to a criminal organization tied to Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro, a nemesis of the US.

On Aug. 27, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello accused the US of committing extrajudicial killings in the attack, saying the US "murdered 11 people without due process."

The attack, whose details could not be independently verified by AFP, marks a dramatic escalation by the US, which has for decades relied on routine policing operations rather than deadly force to seize drugs.

Mr. Rubio said the policy had failed as piecemeal seizures did not affect the bottom line of cartels.