Mexico Deploys 10,000 Troops to Combat Fentanyl Trafficking at U.S. Border

The operation has intensified inspections but faces challenges in detecting the highly concentrated opioid, as U.S. tariffs loom.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sent 10,000 troops to the U.S. border following a tariff threat from President Trump, doubling the military presence in the region.
Operation Northern Border has resulted in increased vehicle inspections but has recovered only minimal amounts of fentanyl so far, highlighting the difficulty of detecting the drug.
The Sinaloa cartel, which dominates trafficking routes near Arizona, remains a key player in fentanyl smuggling into the U.S., where the opioid crisis continues to claim lives.
Critics argue that Mexico's efforts, though serious, are hampered by corruption, limited resources, and a lack of specialized intelligence-sharing with U.S. authorities.
Trump has set a March 4 deadline to assess Mexico's progress, threatening to impose 25 percent tariffs if efforts are deemed insufficient.