Since Donald Trump took office as President of the United States in November 2024, pressures regarding fentanyl trafficking in his territory have increased, leading to discussions about the need to designate a drug czar in Mexico. Trump has labeled Mexican cartels as terrorists, which has intensified attention on this issue.
In a morning conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the proposal from PRI leader Alejandro Moreno regarding the appointment of a drug czar in Mexico. Sheinbaum stated that she does not see the need for this position, given that the country has a highly qualified security cabinet, including Omar García Harfuch, General Trevilla, Admiral Morales, Rosa Icela in the Ministry of the Interior, and the Attorney General of the Republic.
Alejandro Moreno proposed the role of drug czar to coordinate efforts among different levels of government, collaborate with international organizations, and oversee security forces in the fight against fentanyl and synthetic drug trafficking. Under pressure from Trump, the Mexican government has begun actions against this problem, sending more National Guard personnel to the border with the United States.
According to information provided by Omar García Harfuch, more than a ton of fentanyl has been seized since October 2024, along with the dismantling of 329 clandestine laboratories and the arrest of 746 individuals in the ‘Northern Border Operation’. On the other hand, U.S. authorities have reported that the vast majority of fentanyl seized in 2025 has entered the country from Mexico, which is a shared concern for both countries in the fight against drug trafficking.
