Fighting synthetic opioid is one of Trump’s priorities, which threatens to tax Mexican exports if the country does not intensify its efforts to reduce this illicit business
Pra Fentanyl trafficking has been reduced by 50% since the president’s administration last October, the agent said on Thursday. The fight against this synthetic opioid, responsible for the death of thousands of Americans each year, is one of the government’s maximum priorities, which threatens to tax Mexican exports if the country does not intensify its efforts to reduce this illicit business.
Sheinbaum administration has multiplied drug seizures under pressure from the republican tycoon, which has already imposed fees on Mexico’s automotive and steel industry. “The reduction of Fentanil since October, when we take over, so far is 50%, recognized by the US government institutions themselves,” said the leftist agent during her usual morning press conference.
Sheinbaum explained that the decrease is due to the fact that more fentanil is currently seized in Mexico as a result of his government’s security strategy. She clarified that the government offensive is not only focused on Washington’s Sinaloa cartel as one of those responsible for opioid trafficking, but includes several actions that have also contributed to reducing methamphetmine trafficking.
The president detailed that, during her management, 1,193 methamphetamine laboratories were destroyed, causing an economic impact on organized crime of 43 billion pesos (12.75 billion reais), as well as arrests and arms seizure. The main responsible for the smuggling of narcotics are the cartels of Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación, designated by foreign terrorist organizations.
Sheinbaum has insisted that his government seeks that “the United States also do its part” and that the fight against drug trafficking is not limited to Mexican efforts. “The distribution of drugs in the cities of the United States, the illegal sale of fentanil in the cities of the United States (…), this should also be treated by them,” said the president.
Despite these advances, Trump insists that Mexico does not do enough to combat drug trafficking and threatened, from August 1, a 30% tariff on all Mexican exports. In this regard, Sheinbaum said his government is “doing everything” so that tariffs do not go into force and said that “if necessary” will seek to talk to Trump next week.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Nátaly Tenório
