The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, during her morning conference on February 19, emphasized that what they defend is the sovereignty of the country and reject any extraterritorial action related to arms trafficking. According to a report from the ATF, between 2017 and 2023, there was a 63% increase in the number of U.S. firearms recovered in Mexico. Texas, Arizona, and California are the main states of origin for the weapons used by organized crime in Mexico.
In Sheinbaum's words, "The dead from crime responding to the demand for drugs in their country, unfortunately, we bear the burden of." The Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, mentioned that the firearms trafficked from the United States to Mexico are of caliber 50 and above, with unprecedented firepower. Officially, the Government of the United States recognizes that 74% of these lethal weapons come from its country.
The Mexican Government argues that arms trafficking strengthens drug cartels and commits to continuing collaboration to prevent fentanyl from reaching young Americans. Sheinbaum stressed the importance of stopping the flow of high-powered weapons into Mexico and criticized the designation of six organizations as terrorists by Trump in February, labeling the measure as an act of interference.
In this regard, President Sheinbaum revealed details of the negotiations with the Government of the United States to curb arms trafficking and avoid the imposition of tariffs. Her administration is committed to reducing fentanyl trafficking for humanitarian reasons and to protect Mexican and American youth. In this context, the Mexican Government has made its position clear regarding the protection of sovereignty and the fight against illicit arms and drug trafficking.
