Background on Claudia Sheinbaum and Her Relevance
Claudia Sheinbaum is the current President of Mexico City, a role she has held since 2018. As the first woman to hold this position, she is a prominent figure in Mexican politics and has been instrumental in shaping policies related to security, infrastructure, and social programs within the capital city. Her recent response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements highlights her commitment to addressing drug trafficking and the fentanyl crisis, which has significant implications for both countries.
Sheinbaum’s Response to Trump’s Claims
On July 17, during her daily press conference, Sheinbaum addressed Trump’s assertions that Mexican cartels have “very strong control” over the country and accused the Mexican government of inaction regarding fentanyl trafficking. Sheinbaum firmly denied these claims, stating that Mexico has taken decisive actions against drug trafficking and is not the same as previous administrations that allowed criminal infiltration into security institutions.
Existing Measures Against Fentanyl Trafficking
Sheinbaum pointed out that many of the measures mentioned in Trump’s “HALT Fentanyl” initiative already exist in Mexico. These include penalizing fentanyl trafficking and strictly regulating chemical precursors under the supervision of the Navy, Cofepris (Commission for Prevention of Risk), and the Secretary of Security.
Successes in Reducing Fentanyl Trafficking and Violence
- 50% reduction in fentanyl trafficking along the northern border, acknowledged by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (ICE).
- 25% decrease in intentional homicides within the country.
Sheinbaum also announced that she has instructed the Secretariats of Foreign Relations and Security to compile a report detailing all actions taken by her administration against drug trafficking and precursor regulation. This document will be sent to both the U.S. government and congressional representatives.
Call for U.S. Responsibility
During the press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized that the United States must acknowledge its role in the fentanyl crisis, recognizing that it faces a serious public health issue related to drug addiction among both young people and adults. She argued that addressing this problem requires more than just security operations, stating, “While they don’t recognize a significant public health and consumption problem, this issue won’t be resolved. It’s not just about the National Guard or military; they have a much bigger crisis there.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What did Claudia Sheinbaum say about Trump’s claims? Sheinbaum denied Trump’s assertions that Mexican cartels have strong control over the country and accused the Mexican government of inaction regarding fentanyl trafficking. She emphasized that Mexico has taken decisive actions against drug trafficking and is not the same as previous administrations.
- What measures does Mexico already have in place to combat fentanyl trafficking? Mexico has penalized fentanyl trafficking and strictly regulates chemical precursors under the supervision of the Navy, Cofepris, and the Secretary of Security.
- What successes has Mexico achieved in reducing fentanyl trafficking and violence? There has been a 50% reduction in fentanyl trafficking along the northern border and a 25% decrease in intentional homicides within the country.
- What is Sheinbaum’s stance on U.S. responsibility in the fentanyl crisis? Sheinbaum called for the United States to acknowledge its role in addressing the fentanyl crisis, emphasizing that it requires a comprehensive public health approach rather than just security operations.
