By Fausto Carbajal Glass, Partner, Miranda Delphi Solutions
Mexico faces converging security challenges as President Trump openly contemplates military strikes against cartels. His “not happy with Mexico” rhetoric contradicts Secretary Rubio’s recent emphasis on bilateral partnership, revealing internal U.S. policy discord. Domestically, Michoacán exemplifies Mexico’s intractable violence problem. Despite President Sheinbaum’s ambitious 57-billion-peso peace plan combining military deployment with economic development, recent assassinations of local officials demonstrate organized crime’s entrenched power. The strategy’s effectiveness remains questionable given decades of failed predecessors. Weekend seizures across 17 states –including substantial drug and weapons confiscations– show government enforcement capacity but also crime’s widespread operational scope. Meanwhile, violent Generation Z protests in Mexico City, leaving 120 injured, reveal deeper social fractures beyond cartel violence. The confluence of external intervention threats, persistent criminal violence, and domestic unrest presents Sheinbaum’s administration with unprecedented governance challenges requiring both security innovation and political legitimacy.
“What if I would launch attacks in Mexico to stop drugs? That’s fine with me!”, says Trump.
President Donald Trump stated Monday he would not rule out launching attacks in Mexico against drug cartels. When asked by a journalist at the White House if he would consider sending troops or personnel to combat drug trafficking, Trump responded: “What if I would launch attacks in Mexico to stop drugs? That’s fine with me!”. He added they would do “whatever is necessary to stop the drugs”. Trump claimed he witnessed what happened in Mexico City last weekend and assured “there are almost no drugs coming through the maritime route anymore”. He praised his government’s operations against alleged drug shipments in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in deaths. These statements contrast sharply with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks on November 14, when he highlighted the current positive U.S.-Mexico relationship and offered aid with equipment and training rather than unilateral military action.
El Universal, 11/17/25, Redacción: “¿Qué si lanzaría ataques en México para detener las drogas? ¡Por mí está bien!”, dice Trump.
“I’m not happy with Mexico”: Trump doesn’t rule out attack against Mexican cartels.
President Donald Trump said Monday he’s “not satisfied” with Mexico’s fight against drug trafficking and wouldn’t rule out launching attacks on cartels in the country. “Would I authorize attacks in Mexico to stop drugs? That’s fine with me”, Trump stated at a White House press conference, though added he’d be “proud to do it” but felt reluctant.
Trump assured he maintains conversations with Mexico’s government and claimed the Latin American country “knows” his position. “Let me be clear: I’m not happy with Mexico”, he declared, noting hundreds of thousands have died in the U.S. from drugs. His remarks represent a sharp tone shift, as he previously praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for her cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
La Silla Rota, 11/17/25, Arturo Jiménez: “No estoy contento con México”: Trump no descarta ataque contra carteles mexicanos.
Generation Z march in Mexico City leaves at least 120 people injured and 40 detained.
Tens of thousands attended a Generation Z march that filled Mexico City’s Zócalo plaza on Saturday, though the capital’s government estimated only 17,000 participants. The demonstration turned violent outside the National Palace, leaving at least 120 people injured and 40 detained in clashes between police and protesters. Security officials Pablo Vázquez and Pablo Cravioto called the confrontation “exemplary” and claimed it was purely about “coexistence,” sparking controversy. The march, organized by right-wing leaders, achieved its “provocative” goal. Following the violence, government secretaries held a press conference with an exclusive report from injured officials. The police chief reported 60 officers were treated for minor injuries, 40 hospitalized, and 36 suffering contusions. After journalist questioning, officials acknowledged 20 civilians were also injured, “with minor wounds,” despite the serious toll.
Proceso, 11/15/25, Ximena Arochi: Marcha de Generación Z en CDMX deja al menos 120 personas heridas y 40 detenidos.
What is the relationship between Michoacán’s new Security Secretary and García Harfuch?
José Antonio Cruz Medina was appointed as Michoacán’s new Public Security Secretary, replacing Juan Carlos Oseguera Cortés following last weekend’s deadly Uruapan attack that killed mayor Carlos Manzo.
Cruz Medina brings solid police credentials, having held security positions in now-defunct institutions like the Federal Preventive Police and Federal Police under Omar García Harfuch’s leadership (1999-2019). García Harfuch began his political career in 2008 as head of the Federal Preventive Police in Mexico City during Felipe Calderón’s administration. From 2012-2014, he coordinated the Federal Police in Guerrero, leading the Federal Police Investigation Division. As Enrique Peña Nieto’s tenure ended, García Harfuch was appointed to the Attorney General’s Criminal Investigation Agency. Cruz Medina later served as Technical Operations Director under García Harfuch, coordinating high-profile investigations.
El Financiero, 11/17/25, Redacción: ¿Cuál es la relación entre el nuevo secretario de Seguridad de Michoacán y García Harfuch?
The deep reach of crime in Michoacán challenges the ambitious peace plan.
Michoacán tops the federal government’s security concerns. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Executive State Strategy, presented Sunday, marks a shift from the violent crackdowns that plagued the cyclically violent region, which no previous administration has resolved. Sheinbaum’s plan announces a 57-billion-peso investment –over 3 billion dollars– to address the root drug problem. The question is whether the plan, which includes sending 10,000 troops while generating economic development and addressing the president’s intentions, will succeed. Recent weeks have seen no pause in violence, marked by assassinations of Uruapan’s mayor Carlos Manzo and Valle de Apatzingán’s independent leader Fernando Bravo. These attacks indicate worsening public security, driven by highly violent criminal groups like Los Viagras and the Nueva Generación Cartel. Sheinbaum’s plan proposes 12 action areas combining force with opportunity generation.
El País, 11/11/25, Pablo Ferri: El profundo calado del crimen en Michoacán reta el ambicioso plan de paz.
Organized crime doesn’t take the “long weekend” off: How much drugs and weapons were seized over the weekend?
Organized crime remained active during Mexico’s Revolution Day long weekend. The Security Cabinet, led by Omar García Harfuch, reported significant seizures across 17 Mexican states on November 14-16.
Operations resulted in confiscating stolen fuel (the infamous “huachicol”), drones, methamphetamines, and other products. Where were the major strikes against organized crime? Here’s the breakdown. The Security Cabinet reported seizing a suspect with 127 kilos of marijuana and 49 kilos of opium gum in Ciudad Juárez, governed by morenista Cruz Pérez Cuéllar. The confiscated drugs are valued at approximately 2.2 million pesos. Other weekend seizures included: 354.6 kilos of marijuana and 8.3 kilograms of methamphetamines in Jalisco, and a clandestine laboratory producing methamphetamines in El Aguaje, Durango, containing 2,000 250-liter chemical containers.
El Financiero, 11/17/25, Redacción: Crimen organizado no se toma el ‘puente’: ¿Cuánta droga y armas se le decomisaron el fin de semana?
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Download PDF: MI-SecurityChatter-111925