Mexican and U.S. authorities concluded their first bilateral meeting on security before the enforcement of the 25 percent tariffs signed by President Donald Trump. During the meeting, held on February 27, Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, as well as the heads of the Navy and Army, and Alejandro Gertz Manero, Attorney General, participated.
The progress between both countries regarding the containment of the fentanyl crisis and drug trafficking was reviewed. According to the Foreign Ministry, the dialogue was described as 'cordial and productive,' and Mexican authorities presented achievements in drug seizures and arrests since February 3, when it was agreed to postpone the tariffs between President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump.
Trump had demanded results in the fight against drug trafficking and the fentanyl epidemic, expressing his firmness in the decision to apply the tariffs scheduled for March 4. On the same Thursday, Mexico extradited 29 drug traffickers to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who had previously avoided being sent.
Regarding the agreements to avoid tariffs, key points were established in the bilateral meeting. Among them, it was agreed to strengthen the fight against organized crime on both sides of the border to reduce deaths from fentanyl and illegal arms trafficking. Periodic high-level meetings were also agreed upon to analyze progress and measures against fentanyl trafficking, mostly produced in China, according to Trump.
Bilateral cooperation on security will be governed by principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, cooperation without subordination, and respect for sovereignty, as indicated in the statement. Additionally, Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard has held talks with U.S. trade and economy authorities to prevent the imposition of tariffs. More information about these meetings is expected to be provided in the coming days.
