Trump Celebrates A “Happy Cinco De Ported” Mexico’s President, Not So Much

Happy Cinco De Ported, America!

From his first day in office, President Trump has vowed to address the issues created by the Obama and Biden administrations at America’s borders. Part of this effort involves finding and deporting as many known criminals and troublemakers as possible. However, deportation is just one aspect of the problem. Strengthening overall border security and reducing cartel activity are also essential for a secure border.

The drug cartels pose a significant threat not only to the United States but also to parts of Mexico and other South American countries. Given this context, one would expect that if another country offered assistance in combating this threat, it would be welcomed in order to enhance national security.

However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently rejected a proposal from President Donald Trump to allow American troops to enter Mexico to help fight the drug cartels.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump urged Mexico to permit U.S. troops to take the lead in combating drug cartels; however, President Sheinbaum declined to allow any military presence, agreeing only to share intelligence. Sheinbaum addressed the Wall Street Journal article and recounted a recent phone call in which Trump proposed military assistance to help crack down on trafficking operations.

According to the Associated Press:

“He said, ‘How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in and help you.’ ‘Do you know what I said to him? ‘No, President Trump.’ “Sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended.”

Right. That sounds very noble, but if sovereignty is so essential to Sheinbaum, why had she not implemented a sustained crackdown on the cartels to protect her innocent citizens?

James Hewitt, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, issued a statement later defending Trump’s position and calling for increased collaboration with Mexico.

“Dangerous Foreign Terrorist Organizations, however, continue to threaten our shared security, and the drugs and crime they spread threaten American communities across the country. The President has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels, and the United States stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries.”

President Trump’s crackdown on drug cartels and the unprecedented pressure he placed on the Mexican government have forced many drug lords to retreat. Faced with the threat of arrest or death, numerous cartel operatives have shut down their operations and gone into hiding as Mexico seeks to intensify efforts against the producers of illicit drugs that flood the U.S. border.

On his first day in office, Trump initiated a comprehensive crackdown on drug cartels at the border. He signed executive orders that deployed U.S. troops to the southern border, resumed construction of the border wall, and designated major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, his administration expanded a covert drone surveillance program designed to detect fentanyl production sites throughout Mexico.

The initiative turned into a joint campaign only after Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on all Mexican imports unless the Sheinbaum administration took action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In response, Sheinbaum finally deployed 10,000 National Guard troops to her country’s southern border and started coordinating high-profile raids against organized crime.

Following the tariff threats, Sheinbaum’s forces have reportedly seized approximately 5 tons of methamphetamine, 453 kilograms of cocaine, and 55 kilograms of fentanyl since early February.

Additionally, Mexican authorities seized $40 million worth of meth and extradited 29 cartel leaders to the United States, including a longtime fugitive connected to the murder of a DEA agent in 1985.

Color me skeptical. Do I believe that the Mexican president is doing more to confront the cartels? Yes, but the commitment loses its luster when you realize that the commitment was made only after Trump’s threat of tariffs.

Any effort is better than no effort, but how much stock do we put into any information we receive from Sheinbaum’s government? Shunning Trump’s offer of assistance smells of a cover-up. If our troops were actually involved in the fight, the information we received would undoubtedly be more accurate.

Mexico’s sovereignty would not be damaged or diminished with help from the United States. However, Sheinbaum’s explanation sounds more like she prefers that her country’s efforts remain shrouded rather than exposed to any outside scrutiny.