Background on Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum is the current Head of Government (equivalent to Mayor) of Mexico City, a role she has held since 2018. Previously, she served as the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and Sustainable Development for Mexico City from 2012 to 2018. With a background in engineering and environmental science, Sheinbaum has been instrumental in shaping Mexico City’s policies on sustainability, urban development, and social programs.
Historical Agreement on Gun Control
On Saturday, Claudia Sheinbaum announced a groundbreaking agreement with the United States to strengthen control over gun trafficking along the northern border. Sheinbaum described this move as “historic” for Mexico’s security.
“Now, we want the first topic of discussion to be the flow of firearms from the United States to Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated during a public event in Mazatlán’s Convention Center Expanded Area. “Yesterday, we successfully reached an agreement that the United States will reinforce its operations to control the flow of arms.”
Sheinbaum emphasized, “Sovereignty is something that will never be negotiated. It’s the essence of our nation.”
Border Operations and Tracking Technology
This announcement comes during the first meeting of the bilateral security committee, which aimed to expand cooperation in this area. As part of the strategy, both countries will conduct joint border operations to curb gun trafficking and provide Mexico access to ballistics tracking systems used by U.S. agencies.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry clarified that this initiative is part of a cooperation protocol signed weeks earlier during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit. The U.S. government highlighted that the new technology will enable identification and tracking of firearms linked to criminal activities across Mexico’s 32 states.
Response to Pressures from Washington
The agreement comes amidst tensions with Washington. Since his return to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has accused Mexico of insufficient efforts against drug trafficking and irregular migration, even threatening tariffs on Mexican exports.
According to the Mexican government, enhancing border surveillance and extraditing drug trafficking leaders allowed them to postpone the imposition of general tariffs, safeguarding bilateral trade that accounts for over 80% of Mexico’s exports.
Sheinbaum’s Commitment to Security and Development
During her Sinaloa tour, Sheinbaum reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to maintaining Gabinete de Seguridad (Security Cabinet) visits every 15 days in the state and continuing to implement the four pillars of the National Security Strategy.
In addition, Sheinbaum announced economic support for fishermen and ranchers, welfare programs, infrastructure projects, and the construction of hospitals and schools in the region.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Claudia Sheinbaum? Claudia Sheinbaum is the Head of Government of Mexico City, with a background in engineering and environmental science. She has been influential in shaping Mexico City’s policies on sustainability, urban development, and social programs.
- What is the agreement about? The agreement between Mexico and the United States aims to strengthen control over gun trafficking along their shared northern border.
- What measures will be taken? Both countries will conduct joint border operations and provide Mexico access to ballistics tracking systems used by U.S. agencies.
- Why is this agreement significant? This agreement comes amidst tensions with Washington and aims to protect bilateral trade, which heavily relies on Mexican exports to the U.S.
- What else has Sheinbaum committed to? Sheinbaum has pledged to maintain regular Security Cabinet visits in Sinaloa, continue implementing the National Security Strategy, and support local economies through various programs and infrastructure projects.
