US president again Donald Trump‘s threat to put 25% taxes on Mexican imports succeeded in getting their government to send troops to the border to help prevent illegal drugs from crossing. The Mexican government plans to deploy 10,000 troops along their side of the border (El Paso Times).
On Jan 9 2025 Trump stated the Mexican government wasn’t doing enough and reiterated his threat to impose tariffs (Fortune). He is still concerned about the trade deficit the US has with Mexico.
The driving factor of illegal immigration from Mexico to the US and the flow of fentanyl across the border is the prevalence of drug cartels. According to the National Registry of Missing Persons, as of 21 September 2023, 111,521 persons were reported as missing in Mexico (International Commission on Missing Persons). Mexico has seen more than 431,000 homicides since 2006 when the government declared war on the cartels (Council on Foreign Relations). People are fleeing this violence for the safety of their families; willing to leave everything behind and start anew in an unfamiliar country.
The 10,000 troops Mexico will man their border with might be better employed hunting down and fighting cartels. Getting Mexico to reinstate immunity for DEA agents operating in their country would also help. The US helping Mexico fight it’s cartels would solve both border problems. The Mexican economy improving as a result of trade with the US would also inspire people to continue living in their own country rather than relocate to the US.
On October 15th, 2020, DEA agents arrested Mexican General Salvador Cienfuegos, allegedly a member of El Sindicado ( The Syndicate). Military officers with overwhelming influence that supposedly “tolerate” the elected government.
US agents had determined that he was “El Padrino” of the H-2 Cartel. He was in charge of the government’s anti drug cartel effort and at the same time running a cartel. How convenient. It’s a similar situation to that of Genaro Garcia Luna who was the Mexican Secretary of Public Security. He accepted bribes from Jesus Zambada García, El Chapo’s brother, to the tune of $6 million.
The US held him until the 18th, when by request of the Mexican government they dropped the charges and handed him off to Mexican authorities. Attorney General William Barr said he was promised the investigation would continue by the Mexican government.
In late December the Mexican government moved to restrict DEA agents immunity while operating in their borders. This action ended the long standing cooperative effort of the US and Mexico in the fight against drug cartels.
On the 14th of January, the Mexican government exonerated him of all charges (New York Times). This was an “unexpected” about face from their promise the general would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In a statement on Friday, the Justice Department said, “The United States reserves the right to recommence its prosecution of Cienfuegos if the Government of Mexico fails to do so.” We’ll see.