Mexican opposition leader Alejandro Moreno Cardenas has called for a collaborative effort with the United States to dismantle drug cartels operating within the country. During an interview with journalist Ciro Gomez, Moreno Cardenas, who heads the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), emphasized the urgent need to address the cartel threat, stating, “We need to destroy cartels because they are destroying our country, hence the collaboration.” He pointedly questioned the capabilities of the U.S., asking, “Who has the technology? Who has the equipment? Who has the capacity? The U.S. government.”
This call for collaboration comes as President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously acknowledged the importance of cooperation with the United States in combating organized crime. While she has highlighted past collaborations, particularly during the Trump administration, she firmly stated that any military involvement from the U.S. on Mexican soil is unacceptable. Sheinbaum noted that Trump reiterated a proposal for U.S. troops to assist in Mexico during a recent phone call, which she rejected.
In a recent press conference, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s stance against equating organized crime with terrorism, emphasizing that her administration will not accept any form of intervention. “He understood, he was very kind,” she remarked, referring to her conversation with Trump. She also acknowledged that while progress has been made in security matters, there is always room for improvement. “What’s important is continuing to maintain respect and collaboration,” she asserted.
The topic of U.S. involvement in Mexico’s fight against cartels has resurfaced in light of ongoing discussions about drug-related violence and the trafficking of substances such as fentanyl. According to a report by the New York Times, the Trump administration previously sought to deploy U.S. forces alongside Mexican counterparts in operations targeting suspected fentanyl labs. Although this request was initially made last year and then withdrawn, it has gained renewed attention following the January 3 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The report further indicated that while Mexican officials face pressure to reach a new agreement with the U.S., alternative proposals have emerged. These include enhancing information sharing and allowing U.S. personnel to take a more active role in command centers, rather than direct military intervention. Some U.S. officials have even suggested the possibility of drone strikes against suspected drug laboratories.
Finding and neutralizing fentanyl labs remains a significant challenge, as these locations are often elusive. Currently, the CIA conducts clandestine drone flights over Mexico to identify potential sites. The intelligence gathered is then shared with Mexican forces, many of whom have received training from U.S. military personnel for executing raids.
Despite the complexities involved, there is an ongoing push to involve U.S. forces in raids, providing support to Mexican operations while allowing local authorities to maintain control and make crucial decisions. As discussions continue around the cooperative efforts to combat cartels, the focus remains on developing effective strategies to address the escalating crisis of drug-related violence in Mexico.
