The U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned that "supporting narcoterrorists has consequences," amplifying a message from President Donald Trump as his administration increases pressure on Claudia Sheinbaum's government to prosecute officials accused of collaborating with drug cartels.
The embassy published the statement on social media Thursday alongside remarks from Trump calling on Mexico to take action against officials with alleged ties to criminal organizations. The message came amid a broader U.S. push for President Claudia Sheinbaum's government to intensify its campaign against cartels and corruption.
La Administración Trump está utilizando todas las herramientas disponibles para combatir a los cárteles y exigir cuentas a quienes los apoyen.
— Embajada de EE.UU. en México (@USEmbassyMEX) September 17, 2026
🇺🇸🤝🇲🇽Seguiremos colaborando con México para enfrentar al crimen organizado y fortalecer la seguridad de ambos países.
Apoyar a los… https://t.co/aro3qLUstM
In a memorandum to Congress published earlier this week, Trump acknowledged that Mexico had increased drug seizures and transferred major cartel figures to U.S. custody but argued that more action was necessary. He called for Mexican authorities to arrest and prosecute public officials who cooperate with cartels and urged the country to devote additional resources to security.
The pressure follows allegations from U.S. officials that some senior Mexican officials have links to organized crime. DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said in August that there was "government corruption in Mexico, with high-level officials collaborating directly with the cartels," specifically citing the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, although he did not identify the officials. Sheinbaum has rejected broad allegations linking her government to cartels.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also used his message marking Mexican Independence Day this week to emphasize security cooperation and the fight against "narcoterrorism," saying the two countries had "much more work to do together" against criminal organizations.
The rhetoric reflects a central tension in U.S.-Mexico security relations. The Trump administration has designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and pressed for stronger action, while Sheinbaum has supported intelligence sharing and joint training but rejected unilateral U.S. military operations inside Mexico.
Despite those disputes, bilateral security cooperation continues. Mexico's Senate this week approved the temporary entry of 139 U.S. military personnel for training exercises in Chihuahua, while Mexican forces have also trained in the United States. The authorization does not permit American troops to conduct arrests, intelligence missions or independent anti-cartel operations in Mexico.
