Florida governor vows to send forces to Mexico to fight drug cartels if elected president

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida and a candidate for the 2024 presidential race, said Monday that if elected president, he would deploy US forces to Mexico to combat drug cartels

During a visit to Texas, DeSantis also pledged to eliminate birthright citizenship for foreigners and complete the southern border wall as part of his immigration policies.

He also proposed the use of lethal force against suspected drug traffickers and individuals attempting to breach the border.

"Of course, you use deadly force," said DeSantis in response to a question.

He also said he would "fully deputize" all state and local governments to enforce immigration law, adding that "if the federal government won't do its job, the states should be permitted to send people back."

His rival, former President Donald Trump, reacted to DeSantis' event on his social media platform, saying the Florida governor was mirroring him.

"DeSanctimonious showed up today in Eagle Pass, on the Texas Border, with almost no crowd or excitement. He is a failed candidate, whose sole purpose in making the trip was to reiterate the fact that he would do all of the things done by me in creating the strongest Border, by far, in U.S. history. A total waste of time!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.