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Mexico Rejects DEA Head's Claims, Calls Assertions Baseless
🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

Mexico Rejects DEA Head's Claims, Calls Assertions Baseless

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Mexico's Security Cabinet rejected claims by the head of the U.S. DEA linking the federal government to cartels, calling the assertions baseless.
  • The cabinet stated Mexico's National Security Strategy focuses on zero impunity, with over 80 public officials arrested for criminal activities.
  • Mexico affirmed its commitment to bilateral cooperation with the U.S. based on mutual respect and shared responsibility in combating transnational criminal organizations.

Mexico's Security Cabinet has forcefully rejected statements made by the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, who alleged a "connection" between Mexican cartels and the federal government. The cabinet declared that Cole's claims "lack substance" and do not align with Mexico's verifiable public results in combating criminal organizations.

The affirmations made lack substance and do not correspond to the results that, publicly and verifiably, the Government of Mexico has presented in the fight against criminal organizations.

— Mexico's Security CabinetThe Security Cabinet's official statement refuting claims made by the head of the U.S. DEA.

In a released statement, the Security Cabinet asserted that Mexico's National Security Strategy is founded on a policy of "zero impunity." This approach involves intelligence gathering, investigations, and coordinated efforts among federal and state authorities. The cabinet highlighted that investigations have indeed reached public servants involved in criminal activities, citing the arrest of over 80 public and former public officials, including seven sitting municipal presidents, as proof that the Mexican government does not shield individuals engaged in illicit conduct.

The National Security Strategy is based on a policy of zero impunity, through intelligence actions, investigation, and coordination between institutions and state authorities.

— Mexico's Security CabinetThe Security Cabinet described the foundation of Mexico's approach to national security.

Furthermore, the federal government reiterated its willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the United States. This cooperation, it stressed, will continue under the principles of respect for sovereignty, mutual trust, shared responsibility, and coordination. The shared objective remains the fight against transnational criminal organizations and the protection of security for both nations.

We do not have protection for any person who engages in illicit conduct.

— Mexico's Security CabinetThe Security Cabinet affirmed that no one is above the law in Mexico, citing arrests of public officials.

The statement also detailed significant results achieved by Mexico's security forces. From the start of the current administration until June 30, 2026, 59,582 individuals were arrested, along with the seizure of 31,366 firearms and 498 tons of drugs, including 2,363 kilograms and over 5.5 million pills of fentanyl. Additionally, 2,627 clandestine laboratories for methamphetamine production were shut down. The cabinet emphasized that arrests include leaders and violent operators from all criminal organizations, demonstrating that state actions are based on thorough investigations and legal procedures. The government also pointed to a sustained reduction in violence, with daily intentional homicides decreasing by 48 percent between September 2024 and June 2026.

We maintain our willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the United States under the principles of respect for sovereignty, mutual trust, shared responsibility, and coordination.

— Mexico's Security CabinetThe Security Cabinet expressed commitment to continued collaboration with the U.S. on security matters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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