New Delhi, May 16 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered federal prosecutors to aggressively pursue use terrorism statutes against Mexican officials allegedly linked to powerful drug cartels, a move that could fundamentally reshape US-Mexico relations and intensify an already volatile political confrontation between Washington and Mexico City.

According to a report published Friday by The New York Times, senior Justice Department official Aakash Singh instructed prosecutors during a closed-door conference call earlier this week to sharply expand the use of terrorism-related charges against Mexican politicians, security officials, and regional authorities suspected of aiding cartel operations.

The direc...