Mexican President Sends 10,000 Troops to Aid in US Border Security Mission
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed to send 10,000 Mexican National Guard troops to the U.S.–Mexico border to help prevent cross-border smuggling and trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States. She announced this decision on the X platform on Feb. 3, stating that Mexico will immediately reinforce the northern border with 10,000 National Guard members to prevent drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
These troops will support President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure the U.S. southern border against trafficking and illegal border crossings. Before Trump took office, a border security mission known as Joint Task Force North had around 2,500 U.S. troops, and around 4,500 national guardsmen from various states were deployed in Texas for Operation Lone Star.
Trump has also taken other executive actions to address border security, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border and authorizing designations of transnational cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The Mexican president’s troop deployment may be a proactive measure to prevent direct U.S. military action against the cartels.
During a press conference on Feb. 3, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of respecting Mexico’s sovereignty in border security measures. She presented the troop deployment as part of a broader effort to address security and trade-related issues between the U.S. and Mexico.
Trump acknowledged the Mexican troop deployment in a post on Truth Social and expressed his willingness to participate in negotiations with President Sheinbaum to achieve a deal between the two countries.
The United States’ tariffs against Canada and China are scheduled to take effect on Feb. 4.
