DistantNews
Support us
Sheinbaum More Cooperative Than Predecessor on Security, U.S. Secretary Says; Warns 9 Cartels Control Border
🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

Sheinbaum More Cooperative Than Predecessor on Security, U.S. Secretary Says; Warns 9 Cartels Control Border

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the current Mexican government's cooperation on security, calling it "much more cooperative" than the previous administration.
  • Mullin stated that nine cartels control Mexico's northern border, with specific leaders identified and actively pursued by both U.S. and Mexican authorities.
  • Despite increased drug seizures and arrests, Mullin warned that cartels remain sophisticated and organized, posing an ongoing threat, while also noting a decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in U.S. cities.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has commended the administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for its cooperative approach to security matters, stating it has been "much more cooperative" than that of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Mullin made these remarks during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, emphasizing that while Mexico respects its sovereignty, the U.S. has seen significant progress in joint efforts.

We have been impressed that they have been very cooperative, much more cooperative than the past administration, but they still believe in their sovereignty and we have to respect that.

— Markwayne MullinCommenting on the cooperation with President Sheinbaum's administration.

Mullin revealed that nine distinct cartels currently exert control over Mexico's northern border, each with identified leaders referred to as "jefes de plaza." He assured the committee that U.S. and Mexican law enforcement are actively pursuing and arresting these individuals, acknowledging their sophistication and high level of organization. "We know who all of them are. We are going after them, we are arresting them, and we are constantly dealing with the threat," Mullin stated.

Every inch of our southern border and the northern border of Mexico is controlled by nine different cartels, and they have plaza bosses in each one of them. Most of those plaza bosses, we actually know who all of them are. We are going after them, we are arresting them, and we are constantly dealing with the threat.

— Markwayne MullinDescribing the cartel control over Mexico's northern border.

The Secretary highlighted the success of these collaborative efforts, pointing to record-breaking seizures of drugs, money, and weapons, as well as the apprehension of cartel leaders. He noted that drug seizures have increased, and the availability of drugs in U.S. cities has decreased, with a reduction in fentanyl-related deaths, though he stressed that these fatalities remain "too high."

We have seen drug seizures increase and the availability of drugs in our cities decrease.

— Markwayne MullinHighlighting the results of increased security cooperation.

However, Mullin also cautioned that the cartels continue to exert significant pressure and adapt their methods. He referenced remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who warned of the potential for Mexican drug cartels to utilize drones against U.S. interests, a tactic currently employed among themselves. Mullin reiterated that the U.S. continues to apply pressure on these organizations, a strategy he attributes to the leadership's focus on combating cartels and the "poisoning of our streets and our cities."

We have seen fentanyl deaths decrease, but they are still too high.

— Markwayne MullinAddressing the ongoing challenge of fentanyl.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog