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International cooperation

US and Mexico Agree to Security Cooperation, Limit Migration

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum had pressed the Trump administration not to take unilateral action against suspected criminals in Mexico. In a joint statement, the US and Mexico said they would move forward with security cooperation to dismantle organized crime groups, particularly drug-trafficking cartels. The cooperation aims to limit migration while respecting each other's sovereignty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ms. Sheinbaum at her office in Mexico City to discuss the agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and Mexico have agreed to security cooperation to dismantle organized crime groups, including drug-trafficking cartels.
  • The cooperation aims to limit migration while respecting each other's sovereignty.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Mexico for arresting dozens of people considered to be high-value targets by the US government.
  • The US and Mexico will form a bilateral "high level" group to coordinate actions and respect each other's integrity and sovereignty.
  • Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum had pressed the Trump administration not to take unilateral action against suspected criminals in Mexico.
  • US President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio say Mexico must crack down harder on drug cartels, even though law enforcement agencies under Ms. Sheinbaum have made more arrests compared to recent administrations.
  • The US has designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and has threatened to impose a tariff of 30 percent on goods shipped from Mexico.
  • Mexican officials are asking the US to clamp down on the flow of weapons from the US to Mexico, which are being used by cartels in combat with each other and against law enforcement agencies.

Statistics:

  • 11 people were killed in a US-led strike on a boat in the Caribbean, which was being used by drug traffickers traveling from Venezuela.
  • The US has deployed thousands of troops to the border between the US and Mexico.
  • The US has arrested dozens of people whom the UN considers to be high-value targets in Mexico.
  • The US has planned to impose a tariff of 30 percent on goods shipped from Mexico.
  • The number of migrants crossing into the US has plummeted in recent months.

Sources:

  • The New York Times article by Sarah Mervosh, published on an undisclosed date.
  • The State Department's designation of Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, on February 2023.
  • The Pentagon's deployment of thousands of US troops to the border between the US and Mexico, on an undisclosed date.

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