New Security Cooperation Agreement Between Mexico and the EU
Mexico and the United States have formalized a new security cooperation agreement, focusing on the “Firewall Mission: United Against Gun Trafficking,” aimed at curbing the flow of weaponry into Mexico.
Key Components of the Agreement
- Expansion of eTrace System: Mexico will broaden the use of the eTrace tracing tool from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and ballistic identification technology across all 32 federal entities. This will enable tracking firearms from their original sale to their use in criminal activities.
- Secure Information Sharing Platform: The United States will create a secure platform for sharing information on suspicious shipments and cargoes to detect and intercept illicit drugs, guns, chemical precursors, and fuels.
Reactions to the Agreement
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum described the agreement as “historic” following the first meeting of the committee established to discuss security matters between both nations.
“We managed to secure an agreement where the United States will strengthen its operations to control the flow of guns from the U.S. to Mexico. Such an agreement has never been achieved before. Sovereignty is something that will never be negotiated, it’s the essence of our nation and people,” she stated.
Data on Gun Tracing Requests
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the U.S., there has been a consistent increase in trace requests for recovered firearms in Mexico over recent years.
The report “Firearm Commerce, Crime Guns, and the Southwest Border” indicates that between 2017 and 2023, Mexican authorities submitted 148,200 trace requests to the ATF for guns linked to crimes, with 50,409 of those requests coming solely from the 2022-2023 period.
“Nothing New,” Say Experts
Experts consulted by El Economista agreed that the mission represents more of a continuation than an innovation, though with technological and cooperation components that could make a difference if implemented effectively.
Erubiel Tirado, a scholar at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, noted that such cooperation mechanisms have existed at various times in the bilateral relationship, like the “smart borders” agreements during Vicente Fox’s administration or cooperation components in the Mérida Initiative during Felipe Calderón’s presidency.
He highlighted that the most noteworthy part of the strategy is the announcement of a ballistic traceability system that will allow tracking weapons used in criminal acts, with the aim of strengthening state police and prosecutors’ technical capabilities. However, he clarified that it remains unclear whether this modernization will be implemented with U.S. resources and technology.
Alberto Guerrero, a security consultant, emphasized that the program’s success depends on technical capability, political will, and genuine cooperation between agencies from both countries. “It’s a continuation, with its lights and shadows,” he noted.
Guerrero stressed that the success of Mission Cortafuegos requires enhancing the forensic and expert capabilities of the Federal Attorney General’s Office and courts, along with better coordination with financial intelligence units.
“Not only the seller but also the money flow used to acquire weapons must be identified. Without specialized human resources, these units cannot operate efficiently,” he explained.
Cristina Pablo Dorantes, a scholar at the Universidad del Estado de México, warned that although the plan includes using chips and tracking systems, not all U.S. states accept such measures due to the strong gun culture and free-for-sale firearms in supermarkets and retail stores.
“In some states, you can buy a gun at Walmart. This ease has complicated curbing the flow of weapons to Mexico,” she recalled.
Moreover, she pointed out that technology has advanced faster than public policies, citing 3D-printed firearms as an example that has gone unnoticed in the gun trafficking debate.
