Joint Effort to Address Drug Trafficking and Irregular Migration
Authorities from the United States and Mexico have announced the deployment of border operations to curb gun trafficking into México, according to a recent announcement.
The Mexican government has accused US gun stores of contributing to the surge in violence associated with organized crime that has plagued the country since late 2006, resulting in over 480,000 homicides, as per official figures.
Strengthening Cooperation in Security
These border operations are part of a joint mission launched nearly a month after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City to formalize a protocol expanding security cooperation, as reported by Mexico’s Foreign Ministry in a press release.
In addition, all 32 Mexican states will implement ballistic identification technology and gain access to a gun-tracing system used by various US security agencies, according to the US Department of State in another bulletin.
Background on Tensions Between the US and México
Since his return to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has criticized México for not doing enough to combat drug trafficking and irregular migration.
As a pressure tactic, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Mexican exports, which account for 83% of their trade directed towards the United States.
Sheinbaum managed to postpone the imposition of general tariffs by reinforcing border surveillance and handing over significant drug traffickers to the US.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue being addressed? The joint effort between the EU and México aims to combat gun trafficking into México, which is linked to rising violence and organized crime.
- Who is involved in this initiative? Authorities from both the United States and México are collaborating in this joint mission.
- What technologies will be implemented? Mexican states will use ballistic identification technology and access a gun-tracing system utilized by US security agencies.
- Why is this collaboration necessary? The US has been criticized by México for contributing to the violence through gun stores, prompting this increased cooperation in security.
- What were the previous tensions between the US and México? President Trump had accused México of insufficient efforts in addressing drug trafficking and irregular migration, leading to threats of tariffs on Mexican exports.
