Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Mexican Senate has approved 19 authorizations for the passage of U.S. troops through Mexican territory since 2018, during the presidencies of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. These approvals reflect the ongoing military cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the Recent Requests
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the current head of Mexico City’s government and formerly the federal government’s vice president, has recently sought authorization for U.S. military personnel to enter Mexico and for Mexican naval forces to travel to the United States.
Recent Authorizations and Troop Movements
Since 2018, the Senate has approved:
- 19 authorizations for U.S. troops to enter Mexico
- 20 authorizations for Mexican troops to enter the United States
Upcoming Senate Sessions
The Mexican Senate plans to hold extraordinary sessions in early January to approve two recent requests from Sheinbaum Pardo. These requests involve:
- The entry of 19 U.S. Navy SEALs and 10 members of the 7th Special Forces Group from the U.S. Navy into Mexico
- The deployment of 60 Mexican naval personnel to Mississippi, U.S., for the “Enhance the Capability of Special Operations Forces” event
Details of the Upcoming U.S. Troop Visit
The 19 U.S. special forces members will arrive in Mexico on January 12, 2026, via a U.S. military C-130 Hercules aircraft, landing at Toluca International Airport in the State of Mexico. They will stay until April 15, 2026, participating in various training phases at the Advanced Training Center of the Mexican Navy (Semar) in Donato Guerra, State of Mexico.
Details of the Mexican Troop Deployment
Sixty Mexican naval personnel will travel to Mississippi, U.S., from January 18 to March 13, 2026, for the “Increase Operational Capability of Special Operations Forces” event. This training aims to enhance Mexican naval skills in special operations.
Objectives of Military Cooperation
The cooperative efforts between the Mexican Navy (Semar) and the U.S. Northern Command aim to:
- Strengthen the capabilities of units under Semar’s Special Operations Unit
- Foster military cooperation and promote comprehensive programs to bolster skills and operational capacity in coordination with U.S. Special Forces
- Develop individual and collective tasks relevant to special operations missions, including the tactical employment of unmanned platforms for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition
Previous Authorizations and Training Exercises
Among the approved authorizations, there are instances of joint military exercises:
- The “Bilateral Amphibious Exercise FÉNIX 2025” involving 155 U.S. Marine Corps personnel at the Mexican Navy’s Regional Training Center Four (CENAREG-4) in Baja California Sur
- The arrival of eight U.S. 7th Special Forces Group instructors in May 2024 at Tapachula International Airport, Chiapas, for training purposes
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of these military authorizations? These approvals facilitate joint training exercises and strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican militaries, enhancing capabilities in special operations.
- Who are the key figures involved? Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, formerly Mexico’s vice president and now the head of Mexico City’s government, has been instrumental in seeking these authorizations.
- What are the upcoming training events? The U.S. special forces will participate in various phases of training in Mexico, while Mexican naval personnel will engage in similar capacity-building exercises in the U.S.
