The U.S. and Mexico Improve Cooperation on Security

Published April 18, 2023

by U.S. Mission to Mexico

The Mexican security cabinet’s visit to Washington, D.C., is an example of our shared commitment and shows the way forward on joint efforts to fight the trafficking of people, drugs, and arms, which are the soul of the cartels and threaten the security of citizens in both our countries.

The Department of Justice’s indictment against 28 defendants linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly the group known as “Los Chapitos,” shows that criminals have nowhere to hide and will face justice. Among other aspects of this case, we can highlight:

·         The defendants include Ovidio Guzmán López alias a.k.a. “Ratón” (captured), Iván Archivaldo Guzmán-Salazar (USD$10 million reward), and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán-Salazar (USD $10 million reward).

·         Millions of lethal doses of fentanyl were seized during the investigation, as well as thousands of kilograms of pills, methamphetamine, and precursors.

·         The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) collaborated with 10 countries and required the work of 32 DEA offices inside and outside the United States.

As criminals do not recognize borders, we need to work together in a coordinated fashion with our partners around the world and, particularly, in North America with Mexico and Canada.

The DEA’s efforts also stand out in the United States.  In 2022, the DEA seized more than 57 million pills mixed with fentanyl and fentanyl powder, equivalent to 410 million lethal doses.  That quantity is enough to kill the entire population of the United States.