AMLO´s Daily Briefing

Fentanyl. Minister of National Defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, reported that during President Andrés Manuel Obrador’s administration, 6,115 kilograms of fentanyl have been seized, representing an increase of 1,049% when compared to the previous administration.

The fentanyl crisis represents one of the most critical healthcare issues for both Mexico and the US and has been a key discussion topic for both countries. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid considered 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. In 2021, there were approximately 70,000 deaths in the US related to fentanyl. In 2022, fentanyl deaths accounted for 66 percent of drug-related deaths in the US. While the price of fentanyl is at its lowest point, its consumption is increasing in Mexico and the US, according to authorities.  In 2022, representatives  from both countries agreed to jointly launch a campaign against its use and trafficking.

Last week, Republican representatives Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Michael Waltz of Florida, proposed to solve the country’s fentanyl crisis by having US President Joe Biden authorize military action against Mexican cartels. President López Obrador criticized this proposal saying it meddles in internal affairs.

Kidnapped Colombians. Sandoval reported that the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, thanked the Mexican authorities for rescuing a Colombian family that was kidnapped in Sonora.

According to SEDENA, on February 22, the Colombian Embassy in Mexico City requested help to find eight Colombians who disappeared while trying to cross into the US illegally. Authorities concluded that it was a kidnapping because the relatives were blackmailed into paying US$2,100 for each member. In coordination with the Colombian authorities, Mexican authorities negotiated their release on February 23.

Amnesty Law. Minister of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) Rosa Icela Rodríguez announced that between February 17 and March 6, 288 people have been released from prison.  

On April 23, 2020, the Amnesty Law promoted by López Obrador entered into force. The law seeks to free people who were imprisoned after suffering injustices, such as prisoners who have been tortured, those who have not been sentenced for more than two years, people over 70 years old and prisoners over 60 years old with chronic or terminal illnesses.