So far this century, the five governments of Mexico have maintained a relationship with drug cartels, according to an investigation conducted over the last 20 years. This collusion has been extensively documented, including the creation of task forces to combat synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl. In July 2016, the first meeting between the Attorney General of Mexico and the DEA was held in Washington DC to establish a binational group aimed at combating heroin and fentanyl, relatively new phenomena for Mexican authorities.
During the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the policy of 'hugs not bullets' towards drug cartels has been severely criticized, especially for its impact on the fentanyl pandemic in the United States. This has led the U.S. administration to retaliate against Mexico.
Connections between various Mexican politicians and drug cartel members have been revealed, evidence that has fueled accusations that a narco-government exists in the country. Official documents support the production of fentanyl in Mexico since at least 2016, highlighting the entry of chemical precursors from China through Mexican ports.
The U.S. government has pressured Mexico to address the fentanyl issue, which has triggered bilateral tensions. Fentanyl laboratories have been discovered in Sinaloa, the epicenter of the production of this dangerous drug. Cooperation between both countries, although emerging, has been hampered by AMLO's stance of not combating drug cartels.
The current crisis between Mexico and the United States is a consequence of inaction and denial regarding the production of fentanyl on its territory. The complicity of the Mexican government with drug cartels has had deadly consequences in both countries. The situation has worsened with the sanctions imposed by Trump and the increasing evidence of collusion between officials and drug traffickers.
