Members of a special unit of the Mexican Army leave a military zone to patrol
The Mexican Senate Naval Committee approved the entry of the U.S. Army's 7th Special Forces Group on February 15, allowing them to conduct a six-week joint training program at a Mexican naval base starting February 17. Committee Chairman Moreno confirmed that the first group of U.S. troops would arrive on February 17 via a C-130 transport aircraft, with training scheduled to continue until March 30. Moreno emphasized that the collaboration is part of long-standing military exchanges between the two nations, aimed at addressing the growing threat of transnational crime.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions within Mexico. Some lawmakers and citizens fear that the presence of U.S. troops could infringe on Mexican sovereignty and potentially pave the way for a prolonged U.S. military presence in the country.
On the same day, the Trump administration took the rare step of designating eight Latin American drug cartels, including Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, as "foreign terrorist organizations." Under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act, this designation provides legal grounds for cross-border military operations. A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that these groups "are not only involved in drug trafficking but also engage in violent crimes, human trafficking, and terrorist activities, posing a severe threat to regional security."
Security expert González from the National Autonomous University of Mexico warned, "Labeling drug cartels as terrorist organizations could serve as a pretext for the U.S. military to establish a long-term presence, significantly increasing risks to regional sovereignty." He noted that the U.S. has been expanding its military footprint in Latin America in recent years, and this move could further heighten regional tensions.
Analysts believe the Trump administration's actions may raise concerns among Latin American nations. Fernando López, a professor of international relations at the University of São Paulo, commented, "The U.S. has a long history of intervening in Latin America under the guise of counterterrorism. This latest move could trigger a new wave of regional security disputes."