US Presses Mexico on Cartel Cooperation and Domestic Accountability
Washington is intensifying demands on Mexico to prosecute corrupt officials, even as it acknowledges recent improvements in bilateral security cooperation.
President Donald Trump has issued a formal directive urging the Mexican government to arrest and prosecute public officials alleged to have collaborated with drug cartels. This move signals a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, seeking to address internal corruption as a primary driver of transnational crime.
In a memorandum to Congress, the U.S. president stated that Mexico must target those who have betrayed national security, according to reports cited by El País. While acknowledging recent Mexican efforts, the administration argues that current measures are insufficient to dismantle the entrenched power of organized crime groups within Mexico's borders.
Acknowledging Recent Security Progress
Despite the heightened demands, the U.S. administration credited Sheinbaum’s government for tangible results in the fight against illicit trade. Trump noted increased seizures of narcotics, the dismantling of clandestine laboratories, and the deployment of additional military and police resources along the shared border.
Bilateral cooperation has also yielded high-profile successes, including the removal of several cartel leaders. Specifically, the administration pointed to the capture of Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," as evidence that joint efforts can disrupt major criminal networks. However, officials maintain that these victories are not enough to stabilize the region.
Expanding Demands for Supply Chain Control
The memorandum extends beyond criminal arrests to call for structural changes in how goods and people cross the border. Washington is requesting tighter supply-chain controls, greater participation from the private sector, and significantly increased inspections at Mexican ports of entry. These measures aim to disrupt the logistics that sustain cartel operations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reinforced these positions, stating that both Mexico and Canada must do more to stop drugs from reaching the United States. In recent communications, he described the situation as requiring urgent action, warning that the threat must be addressed decisively if diplomatic and cooperative measures fail to produce immediate results.
Mexico Defends Sovereignty and Cooperation
President Sheinbaum has rejected the characterization of Mexico as a state controlled by cartels, urging U.S. officials to respect Mexican sovereignty. She emphasized that security issues should not be politicized during the American midterm campaign, advocating for a relationship based on mutual respect and autonomy.
According to the GN auto geopolitics/americas: Mexico cartel desk, the Mexican government maintains its commitment to cooperation with Washington on security matters. The administration insists that it is taking necessary steps within its own legal framework while pushing back against external pressure that undermines national dignity.
