The U.S. and Mexico late Wednesday agreed to increase cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs, including working together to dismantle cartels and “address” illegal immigration on both sides of the border.
“The aim is to work together to dismantle transnational organized crime through enhanced cooperation between our respective national security and law enforcement institutions, and judicial authorities,” the two governments said in a Wednesday evening joint statement following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Mexico. “Additionally, we are working to address the illegal movement of people across the border.”
In the agreement, the governments said both nations would implement teams to meet regularly and follow up on commitments made within their respective borders, including “measures to counter the cartels, strengthen border security and eliminate clandestine border tunnels, address illicit financial flows, enhance collaboration to prevent fuel theft, increase inspections, investigations and prosecutions to stop the flow of drugs and arms.”
The announcement came after Rubio, who is also serving as President Trump’s national security advisor, met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City.
The secretary thanked Sheinbaum for “collaborating to manage our shared water resources more effectively and expressed optimism for further progress,” according to the State Department.
“During the meeting the Secretary emphasized the importance of resolving trade and non-trade barriers to further the prosperity of both of our nations,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on Wednesday.
Rubio’s trip to Mexico and meeting with the country’s top officials came a day after President Trump revealed that the U.S. military took out 11 “terrorists,” who he said were members of Tren de Aragua, a transnational gang from Venezuela, with a “kinetic” strike in international waters.
The president said the vessel that departed from Venezuela was en route to the United States. Rubio defended the strike on the boat on Wednesday while in Mexico. No U.S. service members were injured during the operation, according to Trump.
Mexico Foreign Affairs Secretary Ramón de la Fuente said that Mexico City would prefer “nonintervention, peaceful solution of conflicts.”
“Our close coordination has allowed us to secure the border, reduce fentanyl trafficking, and advance intelligence sharing, all within our respective legal frameworks,” the U.S. and Mexico said in the statement. “The two governments further intend to strengthen collaboration in public health and coordinate campaigns to prevent the abuse of illicit substances and opioids.”
