Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has recently dismissed claims of collaboration with the United States on a significant initiative to combat drug trafficking, amid rising tensions over security and immigration. Today, the U.S. State Department has travel warnings for 30 of Mexico’s 32 states. They belatedly point to threats of “terrorist” acts in these areas as justification for their alerts. The travel advisory is a sign of increasing alarm about the violence and drug-related crime that has long infested the country.
Providing context to these mandates are strong ties that Sheinbaum’s administration and Mexican federal officials previously developed with former US President Donald Trump. In exchange, the Mexican government agreed to transfer 26 such high-profile drug-trafficking suspects to the U.S. for prosecution. His decision constitutes one of the biggest prisoner transfers in recent years. In mid-February, she moved to extradite 29 alleged cartel leaders from Mexican prisons to the United States. This move was in line with her long-term intention to address drug trafficking.
Trump has habitually called pressure on Sheinbaum. He is rightly calling on her to get serious about stopping the wave of migrants and fentanyl pouring across our southern border. Fifth, he’s threatened to raise his punitive tariffs on Mexican imports to 30 percent. He cites the introduction of fentanyl as his biggest worry if things don’t turn around soon. Right now, all products excluded from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) have to deal with a 25-percent tax. Trump has described this tax as a “fentanyl tariff.”
Sheinbaum has been under immense pressures even before assuming office in October 2024. Nevertheless, she has deftly struck a diplomatic balance and mostly succeeded in keeping public spats with the U.S. at bay. She firmly stated that any unauthorized U.S. actions on Mexican territory would be seen as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
When pressed on whether that meant she would collaborate with the U.S. In the remarks below, adapted from a recent Vera press briefing, Sheinbaum expands on her vision.
“There is no agreement with the DEA. The DEA puts out this statement, based on what we don’t know. We have not reached any agreement; none of the security institutions [has] with the DEA.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also recently initiated a Project Portero. This new initiative is designed to close down drug-smuggling highways over the border. DEA administrator Terrance Cole called the operation a pivotal success in recognizing and targeting joint targets in the fight against drug trafficking.
“This is a bold first step in a new era of cross-border enforcement.” – Terrance Cole
Despite Trump’s expressed warmth towards Sheinbaum, he criticized Mexico’s ongoing struggles with cartel violence.
“Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground.” – Donald Trump
Sheinbaum’s administration has been on the front foot coordinating with previous U.S. administrations on drug-related strategies. They do stress the need for a return to mutual respect and sovereignty.
“The only thing we have is a group of police officers from the Secretariat of Citizen Security who were conducting a workshop in Texas.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
Tensions are very high between the two countries. Neither has the resources nor the political will to address the deeply complicated problems of illicit drug trafficking and migratory movements. The travel warnings from the U.S. serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence impacting Mexico, while diplomatic relations remain precarious amid public statements and policy decisions.
