Under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico is working to rebuild its security cooperation with the United States, a relationship that had been strained during the tenure of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Omar García Harfuch, the Security Cabinet coordinator, has become instrumental in this renewed partnership, engaging in numerous discussions with senior U.S. officials. These meetings have centered on enhancing intelligence sharing and combating organized crime. Mexican authorities have noted that quicker information exchanges have bolstered their ability to swiftly counter criminal activities.
Since Sheinbaum took office, Mexico has reported the arrests of tens of thousands of individuals, significant seizures of weapons and drugs, and the dismantling of numerous clandestine drug labs. The transfer of high-profile criminal suspects to the U.S. has been expedited, contributing to what officials describe as a notable reduction in fentanyl trafficking. This renewed collaboration represents a departure from the previous administration’s approach, which had seen the closure of a U.S. intelligence unit in Mexico and the imposition of stricter regulations on foreign security agents.
Relations had further soured during López Obrador’s presidency after the 2020 arrest of former Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos and disagreements over organized crime investigations. Tensions escalated in 2024 when reports surfaced linking drug-trafficking funds to López Obrador’s 2006 presidential campaign. Although these allegations did not lead to formal charges, they further eroded trust between the Mexican government and U.S. authorities.
Despite the improved cooperation, President Sheinbaum has consistently emphasized the importance of Mexico’s sovereignty and the need for mutual respect in bilateral dealings. The Mexican government has also expressed criticism of what it perceives as attempts by U.S. officials to influence or create divisions within Mexico’s security framework. As a result, the relationship remains cautious, with both nations striving for closer coordination in the fight against organized crime, while Mexico remains firm that intelligence collaboration must align with its sovereignty and national interests.