US and Mexico Collaborate to Combat Arms Trafficking Amid Border Tensions

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In response to rising violence fueled by drug cartels, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has pressed the United States to take more decisive measures against arms trafficking. Reports indicate that between 70% and 90% of illicit weapons in Mexico originate from the U.S. This call for action comes as negotiations to delay tariffs between the two nations intensify, with Sheinbaum asserting that this is the first time U.S. authorities have committed to jointly addressing illegal arms flows.

A recent investigation published by EL PAÍS highlights how an undercover operation exposed a network procuring weapons for drug trafficking. Court documents reveal that operatives were securing deals for military-grade firearms, including AK-47s and Barrett rifles, through trusted intermediaries, often at considerable risk.

According to experts, the disparity in gun regulation—one legal dealer in Mexico compared to over 75,000 in the U.S.—exacerbates the crisis. The ongoing arms trade is linked to approximately 22,000 murders in Mexico last year, with firearms being the top cause. With legal proceedings against major arms manufacturers currently pending in U.S. courts, both governments face pressure to curtail this deadly supply chain.

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