US Intervention in Mexico/Fentanyl Crisis
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US Intervention in Mexico/Fentanyl Crisis

Photo by:   Gobierno de México
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Paloma Duran By Paloma Duran | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Thu, 03/09/2023 - 12:00

Genaro García’s bunker. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador presented his morning conference from the National Guard Intelligence Center, formerly known as the bunker of Genero García Luna, former Minister of Public Security during Felipe Calderón’s administration. "During Felipe Calderón's government a narco-state operated and there was corruption from beginning to end."

García Luna is being processed in Florida for five crimes, four of them related to drug trafficking. The alleged crimes entail participation in corporate crime, conspiracy for global distribution of cocaine, conspiracy for the distribution and possession of cocaine and conspiracy for cocaine import. The fifth alleged crime is for giving false testimony to US authorities. He is the highest-ranking Mexican former official to face justice in the US for charges linked to drug trafficking and corruption. His trial started three years ago after he was arrested in Texas. 

US intervention in Mexico. López Obrador stressed that he will not allow a US military intervention. Furthermore, he emphasized that an information campaign will be launched to encourage Mexicans living in the US not to vote for Republicans. "We will keep you informed of what they are doing in Mexico. . It is disrespectful to our independence, to our sovereignty. And if they do not change their attitude we are going to call not to vote for that party."

Republican representatives Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Michael Waltz of Florida proposed to solve the US’ fentanyl crisis by having President Joe Biden authorize military action against Mexican cartels. The proposal was presented in January 2023 and passed nearly unnoticed yet regained attention due to a recent increase in fentanyl trafficking. President López Obrador criticized this proposal saying it meddles in internal affairs.

US Meeting. Today López Obrador will meet with a US envoy to address the fentanyl problem. The President stressed that although both countries will fight the crisis jointly, the Republican's proposal will not be discussed during the meeting because it has already been rejected. "We will present a report to the US envoy, confirming our continued assistance and support in the fight against fentanyl. But we do not accept threats. The proposal did not come from President Biden's administration, it came from the Republicans."

The fentanyl crisis represents one of the most critical healthcare issues for both Mexico and the US and is 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.

Photo by:   Gobierno de México

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