Confidential Sources To Dolia Estevez: Trump Verbally Abused Peña Nieto, Threatened To Send U.S. Troops Into Mexico
TRUMP reportedly lambasted the Mexican governmentâs efforts to stop the narcotics trade, telling PEĂA NIETO he may send American troops to do the job for them.
Washington D.C.-based journalist Dolia Estevez reports that, contrary to statements from both governments, President Donald Trumpâs phone call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto was anything but âfriendlyâ. Estevez, a reporter for Forbes, describes a hostile exchange in which a belligerent Trump âhumiliatedâ Peña Nieto. âI donât need the Mexicans. I donât need Mexico,â Trump reportedly told the 57th president of Mexico. âWe are going to build the wall and you all are going to pay for it, like it or not.â
Though much of the discussion focused on the border wall, Trump allegedly went on a tirade against the Mexican governmentâs efforts to effectively stop the narcotics trade. At one point, he âsuggested to [Peña Nieto] that if they are incapable of combating [narcotics trafficking] he may have to send troops to assume this task.â Trump also âsaid he would not permit the drugs coming from Mexico to continue massacring our cities.â Referring to his visit to the Mexican capital last year, Trump said: âI really didnât want to go to Mexico last August.â
Peña Nieto, Estevez says, was taken aback. âBefore this unusual onslaught, Peña was not firm. He was stammering.â
For now, both nations remain officially friendly and dedicated to cooperation.
Update 2/2/17: At press time, the Associated Press and CNN offer conflicting reports of Trumpâs phone call with Peña Nieto. Neither news outlet cites Dolia Estevez, though the three may share sources.
Correction 2/2/17: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated President Peña Nieto cancelled his trip to Washington after taking the Trump phone call. He had already cancelled his visit.