US defence secretary says drug cartels will be ‘targeted like ISIS’

In a stark warning to Mexican drug cartels, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has vowed to take a tough stance against the organisations, stating that they will be 'targeted like ISIS'. The comments come as the US continues to grapple with the growing threat of cartel violence along its southern border, with many experts warning of a potential 'cartel wars' scenario unfolding in the region. Austin's comments suggest a significant escalation in US military involvement in the region, with the Defence Secretary implying that the US is prepared to use the same tactics employed against the Islamic State terrorist group to take down the cartels. As tensions between the US and Mexico continue to rise, the implications of Austin's words are far-reaching, and raise questions about the potential consequences of US military intervention in the region.