Mexico sent more than two dozen suspected cartel members to the U.S. on Tuesday, amid rising pressure from President Donald Trump to dismantle the country's powerful drug organizations.

The prisoners were all convicted on drug charges related to their ties to Mexican drug cartels, collectively they have 96 years left to serve.

Donald Trump has ordered US army officials to begin using military force against drug cartels. The extraordinary move has threatened a diplomatic row with Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, insisting US forces will not enter the country.

The president has ordered the Pentagon to use the armed forces to carry out what in the past was considered law enforcement.