On Tuesday, Mexico sent 10,000 troops to its northern border with the United States. This action came after President Claudia Sheinbaum promised to help improve border security in exchange for U.S. President Donald Trump pausing a planned 25% tariff on Mexican goods.
The operation, named Operativo Frontera Norte, focuses on border towns like Juárez and Chihuahua. Sheinbaum also plans to send troops to other key border areas, including Matamoros, Mexicali, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Tijuana.
The tariff threat had come from Trump as a way to pressure Mexico to tackle illegal migration and drug smuggling, especially the flow of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid. In response, Sheinbaum agreed to help curb these issues by increasing security along the border.
To avoid the tariff, Sheinbaum and Trump made a deal. Trump agreed to hold off on the 25% tariff for one month if Mexico increased its efforts to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. One major part of the deal was having more Mexican agents along the border to stop the smuggling of drugs like fentanyl.
This move by Mexico shows how the country is taking action to deal with both security and trade concerns. The presence of more troops is meant to strengthen efforts to prevent illegal activities while also maintaining good relations with the United States. In turn, this pause in tariffs gives Mexico time to show progress in addressing the security issues.
By working together, Mexico and the U.S. aim to reduce the flow of drugs and improve safety on the border, hoping that both countries can benefit from a decrease in illegal activity and stronger trade agreements. However, the future of these negotiations and their effectiveness in solving long-term issues remains to be seen.
