US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that drug cartels control some areas of Mexico during a Senate hearing. When questioned by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Blinken highlighted that Mexican citizens are the primary victims of the resulting insecurity.
Senator Graham asked if drug cartels control parts of Mexico rather than the government. Blinken responded, “I think it’s fair to say yes.”
Blinken also mentioned the possibility of considering a proposal from Republican lawmakers to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations. He acknowledged Mexico’s seizure of “record amounts” of fentanyl, which has been linked to American deaths. Still, he emphasized the need for improved security strategies and technology to detect the drug’s entry.
Tensions have risen between Mexico and the US over cartels and fentanyl following incidents such as the kidnapping and killing of American citizens in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Other sources of a strain include US lawmakers’ proposals to classify Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, the fentanyl issue, and a recent human rights report by the US State Department.
Former US Attorney General William Barr, who served under the Trump administration, suggested US military intervention to target Mexican drug cartels and address the fentanyl crisis. He also accused Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of ceding sovereignty to “narcoterrorists.”
In response, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard stated that Mexico would never allow its sovereignty to be violated and emphasized the importance of respectful treatment as a key US partner.
President López Obrador dismissed the US State Department’s human rights report on Mexico as “rubbish” and denied the existence of massacres or torture. He attributed the focus on security issues with Mexico by Republican lawmakers to the upcoming US elections.
The Mexican president emphasized his government’s efforts to address the issues mentioned in the report and expressed hope for strengthened bilateral cooperation with the US. López Obrador called for a comprehensive approach to tackle drug trafficking’s root causes, such as poverty and lack of opportunities, in addition to law enforcement measures. He also advocated a joint strategy with the US to address the drug crisis and improve border security.
Despite tensions, both governments are willing to continue collaborating in combating drug trafficking and addressing other shared challenges, emphasizing the importance of a strong and mutually respectful partnership.
