Mexican president highlights ‘compelling results’ in crackdown of cartels in face of Trump threats

Mexican President Touts Anti-Cartel Progress Amid Trump Intervention Threats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Friday that joint efforts to combat drug cartels and reduce northward migration are yielding “compelling results,” in what appears to be a diplomatic effort to counter recent intervention threats from the Trump administration.

The statements come in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that American forces “will now start hitting land” in Mexico to target drug cartels. This threat follows the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, an action that sent shockwaves through Latin America.

Sheinbaum, who describes her leadership approach as addressing chaos with a “cool head,” has been working to establish positive relations with the Trump administration, marking a stark contrast to Maduro’s antagonistic stance. The Venezuelan raid has heightened concerns across Latin America that Trump might deploy American forces against other nations in the region, with Cuba and Mexico frequently mentioned as potential targets.

“There are very compelling results from the joint cooperation and the work that Mexico has been doing,” Sheinbaum emphasized during her morning press briefing. She cited significant progress in anti-cartel operations, pointing to a substantial decrease in Mexico’s homicide rate, reduced fentanyl seizures by U.S. authorities at the border, and diminished migration flows.

The Mexican president’s comments followed Thursday night’s conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente. The officials released a joint statement acknowledging that “more must be done to confront shared threats,” suggesting ongoing diplomatic efforts to address security concerns collaboratively.

While emphasizing Mexico’s commitment to addressing cartel violence, Sheinbaum also called for reciprocal action from the United States. She urged U.S. authorities to intensify efforts to stop the flow of weapons into Mexico, which often fuel cartel violence. The president also highlighted the role of drug demand in the United States as a driving factor behind Mexico’s cartel problems.

“The other side also has to do its part. This consumption crisis they have over there also has to be addressed from a public health perspective, through education campaigns,” she stated, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to the drug problem affecting both nations.

Sheinbaum revealed she had spoken directly with Trump by phone on Monday, during which she reiterated Mexico’s position that U.S. military intervention in the country is unnecessary. This direct communication suggests Mexico is pursuing diplomatic channels to manage tensions with its northern neighbor.

The current diplomatic maneuvering takes place against a complex backdrop of U.S.-Mexico relations, where security cooperation, trade, and migration have long been contentious issues. Mexico remains one of the United States’ largest trading partners, with the countries’ economies deeply intertwined through the USMCA trade agreement, making stability between the nations crucial for both economies.

Security experts note that while Mexico has made some progress in certain areas of cartel control, violence remains widespread in many regions of the country. The potential for U.S. intervention presents significant sovereignty concerns for Mexico, a country with historical sensitivities regarding foreign military presence on its soil.

As both nations navigate this delicate diplomatic situation, the effectiveness of Mexico’s current security strategy and the Trump administration’s response will likely determine whether cross-border cooperation or confrontation defines the next chapter in U.S.-Mexico relations.