By Fausto Carbajal Glass, Partner, Miranda Delphi Solutions
Mexico and the U.S. are navigating complex security challenges amid diplomatic cooperation – though not exempt from tensions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s September visit to Mexico City resulted in strengthened bilateral information sharing, with representatives from both nations’ armed forces participating in executive sessions. The cooperation emphasizes mutual sovereignty respect and shared responsibility in addressing security challenges. However, questions persist over potential U.S. military intervention against cartels, which President Sheinbaum categorically rejects despite Trump administration designations of six Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. Domestically, Mexico faces escalating organized crime tactics, including drone attacks on indigenous communities and ongoing conflicts between criminal factions in Sinaloa. President Sheinbaum announced implementation of a four-pillar national security strategy across all 32 states, while corruption investigations led to arrests including a Navy vice admiral connected to fuel theft operations, demonstrating institutional accountability measures.
Marco Rubio highlights historic cooperation between Mexico and US: “We will exchange ideas with great respect”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mexico on September 3rd for key diplomatic meetings in Mexico City, primarily with President Claudia Sheinbaum. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation on migration and trade, though discussions focus on security matters and the controversial US proposal to deploy troops against drug cartels on Mexican territory. The meeting occurs amid tensions following President Trump’s claim that Sheinbaum fears the cartels –an assertion she rejected. Rubio’s agenda included a private meeting with Sheinbaum at the National Palace, a joint press conference with Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente, and a session with US Embassy personnel. While Trump authorized military actions against criminal groups, Sheinbaum maintains Mexico will cooperate but never permit US military presence on Mexican soil. The visit is part of broader US anti-drug operations across the region, including significant naval deployments in the Caribbean targeting transnational criminal organizations.
El Financiero, 9/03/25, Redacción: Marco Rubio destaca cooperación histórica entre México y EU: “Intercambiaremos ideas con mucho respeto”.
US military intervention poses latent risk for Mexico in cartel fight.
Specialists warn that US military intervention in Mexico represents a latent risk, with President Trump repeatedly expressing intentions to deploy troops against cartels on Mexican territory. Trump previously stated it would be “an honor” to help Mexico combat organized crime groups, while his administration has designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. The Trump administration’s distrust of Mexico has intensified intervention discussions, particularly after incidents like the USS Gravely’s presence near Veracruz and unauthorized drone overflights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed during his recent visit that the US will use “all power” against designated terrorist organizations “regardless of where they operate.” President Sheinbaum categorically rejected any US intervention, stating Mexico would never accept foreign military presence. Security experts note that unlike Venezuela, Mexico maintains different bilateral dynamics with the US, though the intervention threat remains real given Trump’s aggressive anti-narcotics policies and territorial security concerns.
Expansión Política, 9/08/25, Lidia Arista: Intervención militar de EU, riesgo latente para México en la lucha contra cárteles.
Vice Admiral detained for fuel theft, political nephew of former Navy Secretary Rafael Ojeda.
The Mexican Navy (Semar) led coordinated operations with other security agencies resulting in arrests related to fiscal fuel smuggling (“huachicol fiscal”) connected to the seizure of ten million liters of fuel in Tamaulipas last March. Among those detained was Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, political nephew of former Navy Secretary Rafael Ojeda Durán. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that investigations following the March fuel seizure led to arrests of company executives and public servants with outstanding warrants. Seven people were detained on September 2-3, including five men and two women, and placed at federal judges’ disposal. Semar emphasized its zero-tolerance policy against misconduct, stating “the law applies to everyone”. Farías Laguna previously served as commander of the Twelfth Naval Zone in Puerto Vallarta before being reassigned. Federal authorities also arrested former director of Administration and Finance at Tampico customs, in related operations..
La Jornada, 9/06/25, Gustavo Castillo García: Detienen por “huachicol fiscal” a vicealmirante, sobrino político de ex titular de la Semar, Rafael Ojeda.
Security strategy will be “implemented on the ground” across all 32 states, Sheinbaum announces.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico’s four-pillar national security strategy will be “implemented on the ground” across all 32 federal entities during the 51st Ordinary Session of the National Public Security Council. The strategy focuses on addressing root causes, intelligence and investigation, police strengthening, and coordination between federal, state, and judicial authorities.
Sheinbaum acknowledged governors’ anti-violence efforts while recognizing Sinaloa’s difficult situation due to violence between “Los Chapitos” and “Los Mayitos” criminal organizations. Governors proposed security measures including mandatory passenger identification for bus tickets to combat forced recruitment at transportation hubs. Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez urged states to implement recent disappearance reforms, emphasizing coordination between 32 local search commissions and specialized prosecutor offices. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported a 25% reduction in intentional homicides during the government’s first eleven months, with over 30,700 arrests and 15,500 firearms seized, while stressing the need to strengthen local police forces.
Expansión Política, 9/2/25, Lidia Arista: Estrategia de seguridad será “aterrizada” en las 32 entidades, anuncia Sheinbaum.
Red Cross calls for monitoring humanitarian consequences of organized crime drone attacks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called for international organizations and the Mexican government to monitor humanitarian implications of organized crime drone attacks against indigenous communities. Olivier Dubois, ICRC representative for Mexico and Central America, emphasized during a conference in Guadalajara that criminal groups’ use of advanced weaponry requires careful humanitarian analysis. Dubois noted that Mexican criminal organizations have adopted drone tactics learned from armed conflicts in other territories, marking a shift from traditional criminal violence methods. These attacks have targeted indigenous villages and communities in Michoacán and Chihuahua states as groups seek territorial control for drug cultivation and trafficking. The ICRC representative highlighted that such attacks present challenges for Armed Forces and police in determining appropriate responses while respecting human rights. Regarding migration, Dubois stressed the need for effective legal policies recognizing migrants’ high vulnerability to organized crime violence in Mexico, emphasizing the importance of protection measures that address this elevated risk.
Aristegui Noticias, 8/06/25, Redacción: Cruz Roja llama a vigilar las consecuencias humanitarias de ataques del crimen organizado con drones.
Mexico and United States Share Information to Strengthen Armed Forces.
Mexican representatives participated in a forum with U.S. authorities to identify shared security challenges and cooperation opportunities. On September 8, Mexican Government officials reported an information exchange with U.S. security representatives to strengthen both nations’ Armed Forces. Following discussions, authorities announced an agreed security strengthening program emphasizing mutual sovereignty respect. From August 10-13, 2025, at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, representatives from Mexico’s Navy, Defense secretaries, and U.S. Northern Command participated in the Information Sharing Board Executive Session. Both countries exchanged information establishing a dialogue forum addressing mechanisms to identify shared challenges, improve information exchange procedures, and strengthen Armed Forces capabilities under reciprocity principles, shared responsibility, and mutual trust.
NMás, 9/08/25, Redacción: México y Estados Unidos Comparten Información para Fortalecer a las Fuerzas Armadas.
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Download PDF: MI-SecurityChatter-091025