Strict defense of national sovereignty, asserting that only Mexican forces can conduct security operations on Mexican soil, even when using intelligence from foreign partners [10, 53].
Rejection of the U.S. designating Mexican criminal organizations as 'terrorist groups', viewing the label as inconsistent with Mexican law and a potential pretext for foreign intervention [8, 9].
An economic strategy that combines attracting foreign investment with strengthening state control over key sectors, such as mandating 54% public ownership in electricity generation [4, 17].
Commitment to U.S.-Mexico cooperation based on shared responsibility, particularly in combating fentanyl trafficking from Mexico and firearms trafficking from the U.S. [5, 36, 38].
Prioritization of the USMCA trade agreement as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, while actively seeking to resolve outstanding issues like U.S. Section 232 tariffs [12, 13].
August 2018
Mexico's Attorney General's Office offers a 30 million peso reward for information leading to the capture of cartel leader 'El Mencho', setting the stage for future high-stakes operations [30, 47].
Current Administration Period
Sheinbaum's government reports significant security statistics, including over 43,000 arrests and the seizure of 23,000 firearms, 80% of which are claimed to be of U.S. origin [36, 38, 56].
Recent Security Operation
Mexican federal forces, using U.S. intelligence, conduct a major operation against 'El Mencho' and his network. The operation triggers severe retaliatory violence across 11 states, including 85 highway blockades and the deaths of at least 27 security personnel in Jalisco alone [43, 45, 51, 52, 57, 58].
Recent Diplomatic Engagement
Following a conversation with Donald Trump, Sheinbaum reports progress on joint efforts that have reduced fentanyl crossings by 50% and reaffirms Mexico's stance against U.S. intervention and the designation of cartels as terrorist groups [5, 7, 8, 9].
Upcoming (Jan 22-23)
A meeting of the joint U.S.-Mexico security committee is scheduled to take place in the United States, continuing the high-level dialogue on shared security challenges [3].
2026
The USMCA/T-MEC trade agreement is scheduled for a formal review, an event Sheinbaum emphasizes is distinct from a full renegotiation and is a top priority for her government [12, 18].
▶Asserting National Sovereignty in Security OperationsApr 2026
Sheinbaum consistently emphasizes that while Mexico collaborates with the U.S. on intelligence sharing to combat transnational crime like fentanyl trafficking, all security operations within its borders are planned and executed exclusively by Mexican forces. This principle is presented as a non-negotiable aspect of the bilateral relationship, rejecting any form of foreign military intervention or operational participation.
For analysts, this theme underscores a critical red line in U.S.-Mexico relations; any U.S. policy proposals that appear to infringe on Mexico's operational sovereignty, such as designating cartels as terrorist organizations to enable direct action, will be met with strong opposition from her government.
▶Strategic Economic Nationalism and Trade Management
Sheinbaum's economic vision involves attracting foreign investment while simultaneously strengthening state control over strategic sectors and prioritizing the domestic market. This is exemplified by her promotion of $7 billion in foreign investment alongside a new law ensuring public majority control over electricity generation and a strategy to reduce import dependency on Asia.
Investors should monitor the potential friction between Mexico's desire for foreign capital and its nationalist industrial policies, as this balance will define the risk and opportunity landscape, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors ahead of the 2026 USMCA review.
▶The High Cost of Combating Organized Crime
The claims detail a security strategy focused on high-impact operations against cartel leadership, such as the one targeting 'El Mencho', which involved U.S. intelligence. However, these operations trigger massive and violent backlash, including the killing of numerous security force members and widespread blockades, demonstrating the significant armed capacity and territorial control of these criminal groups.
The data suggests that while the government can achieve tactical victories against cartels, the subsequent retaliatory violence indicates that these groups remain deeply entrenched, posing a persistent and severe threat to state stability and the safety of security personnel.
▶Navigating U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Priorities
Sheinbaum's discourse frames the U.S. relationship around a few key, interconnected issues: security cooperation on fentanyl and firearms, and economic partnership through the USMCA. She reports progress on joint efforts to reduce drug flows but highlights firearms trafficking from the U.S. as a major problem, while managing trade complexities like rules of origin and tariffs.
This thematic focus indicates that her administration's diplomatic success will be measured by its ability to secure favorable outcomes in the 2026 USMCA review while ensuring U.S. cooperation on security remains within the strict bounds of Mexican sovereignty.