**U.S. forces have already conducted direct ground operations against cartels on foreign soil, most recently joining Ecuadorian police in September 24 raids targeting a Jalisco New Generation Cartel network in Guayaquil.** Under the Trump administration's Operation Southern Spear and Shield of the Americas coalition, the U.S. Southern Command has executed dozens of maritime strikes on suspected trafficking vessels since September 2025, while expanding to joint land actions in Ecuador and seeking similar arrangements with Colombia, Honduras, and other partners. A Southcom general recently stated that land strikes remain options across nearly 20 nations. Mexico continues to limit U.S. military roles on its territory despite intelligence cooperation. Traders assess the likelihood of qualifying direct U.S. participation or kinetic action by late 2026 dates against this backdrop of ongoing regional military engagement and coalition-building.