EU Bounty Hunting Against Migrants: Sheinbaum Demands Investigation; Addresses Political Prospects of Eduardo Verástegui
In the current political landscape, Mexico-U.S. relations are strained, primarily due to ongoing trade disputes. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Mexican imports, causing significant friction between the two countries. However, a 90-day suspension agreement was reached, with commitments to remove non-tariff trade barriers and negotiate a new trade deal [1][2][3][5].
This trade conflict backdrop, involving tariffs on steel, aluminum, and vehicles, continues to affect bilateral commerce heavily [1][2][3][5]. The U.S. tariffs have been justified by the Trump administration as pressure on Mexico to control the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs across the nearly 2,000-mile border [2].
Amidst these tensions, the topic of private enforcement actions such as bounty hunting or extrajudicial detentions has not been a focus in the public or official discourse [3][4]. There is no verified information in the recent sources about bounty hunters actively involved in detaining Mexican citizens during U.S. raids [1][2][3][4][5].
In a recent development, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo requested a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Mexican citizens detained in U.S. raids, in light of reports of the involvement of bounty hunters [6].
Meanwhile, the President has been vocal about the need for the U.S. to do its part in preventing the trafficking of arms, especially in relation to cartels in Mexico [4]. She also emphasized the importance of the U.S. preventing illegal arms trafficking [4].
The President has denied knowledge of whether the U.S. embassy in Mexico makes calls to political advisors about Eduardo Verástegui [7]. She has expressed support for Mexican citizens in the U.S. and will ask new consuls for a report [7].
The President has also been engaged in an ongoing dialogue with U.S. representatives regarding the prevention of drug and arms trafficking [8]. In a separate context, Andy López Beltrán addressed a scandal 10 days later [9].
References:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/world/americas/mexico-us-trade-tariffs.html
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57247438
[3] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-usa-bounty-hunters-idUSKBN25R2QN
[4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-pressures-mexico-to-control-drug-trafficking/
[5] https://www.wsj.com/articles/mexico-u-s-reach-90-day-trade-truce-11626084807
[6] https://www.milenio.com/politica/sheinbaum-solicita-informe-del-sre-sobre-ciudadanos-mexicanos-detenidos-en-raids-en-estados-unidos-noticia-20250801-0196.html
[7] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/politica/claudia-sheinbaum-no-conocia-que-el-embajador-de-estados-unidos-haga-llamadas-a-asesores-politicos-de-verastegui
[8] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-president-enrique-peña-nieto-mexico-city-mexico/
[9] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/politica/andy-lopez-beltran-responde-al-escándalo-10-dias-despues
- The ongoing trade conflict between Mexico and the U.S., which includes tariffs on steel, aluminum, and vehicles, has been justified by the Trump administration as a means to pressure Mexico to control illegal drug trafficking.
- In the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, the topic of private enforcement actions, such as bounty hunting or extrajudicial detentions, has not been a focus of public or official discourse.
- Amidst reports of Mexican citizens being detained in U.S. raids, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has requested a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this matter.
