Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that she will deploy 10,000 members of the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to combat drug trafficking, particularly focusing on fentanyl. This decision came after Sheinbaum's discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had recently imposed a 25% tariff on Mexico for not doing enough to address the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
In her statement, Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico's commitment to reinforcing border security to prevent drug trafficking. She also highlighted a mutual understanding with the U.S. regarding the need to address the trafficking of firearms into Mexico. The two nations plan to collaborate on security and trade issues, with immediate action commencing on these fronts.
President Trump confirmed the agreement during an announcement on social media, describing the conversation with Sheinbaum as "very friendly." He noted that the Mexican National Guard's deployment would specifically target the flow of fentanyl and illegal migration into the U.S. Furthermore, Trump indicated that the planned tariffs would be paused for one month, allowing time for negotiations between high-level officials from both countries.
These negotiations will involve key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, along with representatives from Mexico. The outcomes of these discussions could potentially influence future U.S.-Mexico relations regarding border security and drug trafficking.