In a recent development, the Mexican president has openly criticized the United States for allegedly harboring drug cartels and allowing American citizens to collaborate with these organized crime groups. This comes in response to a report revealing a staggering 450% increase in arrests of US citizens for organized crime offenses during the previous administration. The report underscores the extensive presence of Mexican organized crime groups operating within the US, highlighting an escalating issue between the two nations.
Security experts have raised alarms about the increasing involvement of American citizens in smuggling operations across the US-Mexico border. They point out that these Mexican organized crime groups are pivotal in distributing drugs such as fentanyl within the United States. The Trump administration has consistently criticized Mexico for the northward flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and has designated several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Former President Donald Trump took a strong stance against the flow of drugs and migrants, even threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican goods. In response, Mexico's president agreed to deploy an additional 10,000 national guard troops to the border to curb illegal activities.
"Anybody that has dual citizenship, [or] US citizenship, can be influenced and corrupted by the cartels." – Donald Trump
The Mexican president's remarks have fueled a diplomatic spat between Mexico and the US. He accused American citizens of collaborating with Mexican crime groups and called on Washington to assist in dismantling cartel operations in Mexico. This ongoing tension has strained relations between the two countries, with each side accusing the other of inadequate handling of the issue.
Furthermore, a separate controversy has emerged involving Google Maps. The Mexican government criticized Google for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, allegedly at the behest of former President Trump. The Mexican government exchanged correspondence with Google, expressing disapproval over this change.
"Even President Trump isn’t proposing that the entire Gulf of Mexico be called the ‘Gulf of America’, but only their continental shelf. So Google is wrong." – Claudia Sheinbaum
"If necessary, we will file a civil suit." – Claudia Sheinbaum