U.S. urges Mexico to pursue legal action against politicians allegedly linked to drug trafficking organizations.
The Trump Administration is turning up the heat on Mexico, urging the country to dig into political figures believed to be tied to organized crime, and potential extradition if charges are pending in the U.S. According to sources in the know, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his crew have made these demands in three high-level meetings and conversations with Mexican officials.
The goal? To shove President Claudia Sheinbaum's government towards an unparalleled crackdown on narco corruption. Four sources divulged that top elected officials from Sheinbaum's own Morena party are among the targets, and U.S. officials have even cautioned that additional tariffs might be on the way if Mexico doesn't act.[1][3][4]
These discussions between U.S. and Mexican officials have kept a low profile, but Reuters has reported on them. Mexico's foreign ministry stayed mum on Reuters' questions before the story broke, but after the article's publication, they denied that the U.S. had requested any officials be investigated. President Sheinbaum, at a press conference, claimed it was "bogus" that the U.S. had asked for a list of Mexican politicians.
The U.S. State Department did not contradict that requests had been made, but they emphasized that no tariff relief was offered in exchange. "It's in the interest of both the U.S. and Mexico to team up against the cartels and the corrupt actors strengthening them," they said.[3]
A Reuters spokesperson stood by their reporting. The U.S. might have shared a list of suspects with ties to organized crime, but Reuters could not independently verify this, nor could they confirm if these individuals are engaged in wrongdoing. Some reports suggest that Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila is among the Morena officials on this list.[2]
In response to these reports, Avila stated, "I categorically deny any information tying me to any organized crime group." Neither the Mexican presidency, Attorney General's Office, Security Ministry, Foreign Ministry, the White House, State Department, Department of Justice, nor the Department of Homeland Security responded to Reuters' requests for comment on the talks.[5]
Political risk is high for President Trump's administration, as they justify their tariff threats on the growing cartel influence over Mexico's government. If a crackdown ensues, it would mark a drastic escalation in Mexico's efforts against drug corruption. However, taking on top officials while they're in office carries significant political risks for Sheinbaum, as some of the allegations implicate members of her own party.[1]
The Trump administration first brought up the request at a meeting in Washington on February 27, led by Rubio and Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials from the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, as well as Treasury, were also in attendance, along with Mexico's Attorney General Alejandro Gertz and Secretary of Security Omar Garcia Harfuch.[1]
In late February, Mexico shipped 29 cartel figures to the U.S., possibly in response to Trump's tariff threats. Talks also included discussions about speeding up the capture or deportation of priority DEA and FBI targets.[1] Washington even floated the idea of appointing a U.S. fentanyl czar to maintain direct contact with Sheinbaum regarding fentanyl. Additionally, they've pushed for more thorough inspections of cargo and travelers at the U.S.-Mexico border for drugs.[1]
Some argue that Mexico has long shielded politicians linked to the cartels. Under Mexico's constitution, serving state governors and federal lawmakers are protected from prosecution for most crimes and can only be charged for serious federal crimes like drug trafficking or racketeering if authorized by Mexico's Congress.[1]
- The conversation between the Trump Administration and Mexico's officials has delved into policy-and-legislation, as the former is urging the latter to crack down on narco corruption, potentially involving extradition for those with U.S. charges.
- General-news sources have reported that this discussion includes the possible investigation of top officials from Mexico's Morena party, including Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila, who has denied any ties to organized crime.
- This development in crime-and-justice, if it leads to a crackdown, would represent a significant shift in Mexico's approach to drug corruption, however it presents political risks for both President Trump's administration and President Claudia Sheinbaum, especially since some allegations implicate members of Sheinbaum's own party.
