"US Will Not Send Armed Forces to Mexico," Says Marco Rubio; Rules Out Unilateral Action

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

However, the Secretary of State affirmed that the Mexican government will receive "all possible assistance" if it requests it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States will not send US forces to Mexico, nor will they act "unilaterally" regarding the public security crisis affecting the neighboring country. He also emphasized that support for the Mexican government will only be given if "they request it."

Upon his arrival at Hamilton International Airport in Canada to participate in the G7 summit, Rubio was approached by the press, to whom he responded that he is committed to eradicating the cartels that "have more power than the federal forces" and that have claimed the lives of Mexicans, including the late mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo.

What did the Secretary of State declare?

Rubio was questioned about how concerned the United States government was about the public security situation in Mexico, and how much it might intervene to "help combat the scourge of cartels and violence."

In response, the secretary said they are willing to provide "all the help they need," but without crossing the line into unilateral intervention, a measure stipulated by the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum.

"Obviously, they don't want us to take unilateral measures or send U.S. forces to Mexico, but we can help them with equipment, training, and intelligence sharing."

However, Rubio conditioned the assistance on a request from the neighboring administration.

"We will provide all kinds of help we can offer if they request it. They have to ask for it," the official emphasized.

Cartels Control Regions of Mexico, Rubio Declared

Regarding the murder of Carlos Manzo on November 1,  Rubio stated that it was not an isolated incident, as organized crime was also responsible for the deaths of other mayors, journalists, politicians, and judges, according to his statement.

Therefore, he reiterated the power of the cartels in the region, which the United States has designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

"One of the things no one is talking about is the rise of these Foreign Terrorist Organizations."

Regarding the designation, Rubio explained that they are given this name not because they necessarily adhere to an ideology. "You don't have to be ideological to be a terrorist," he said. Rather, it's because in many cases "they possess more weapons, better training, better intelligence, and greater capabilities" than the governments themselves.

The Secretary of State asserted that there are areas of Mexico "controlled by cartels," which become "more powerful" than local and even national forces.

"This represents a concern throughout the hemisphere."

However, Rubio concluded that cooperation between the United States and Mexico is at its "highest level in history."

"It is growing and is positive, driven by what they ask for, what they need, and by helping them improve their own capabilities if they request it," he mentioned.

The progress that both governments have made is enormous, but Rubio emphasized the fact that the problem of cartels and insecurity is "long-standing," therefore, it will take time to perceive the results "tangibly."

"In some cases, we have already seen them. For example, we are achieving the extradition of drug traffickers faster than ever; not always, but in many cases," he emphasized regarding the recent transfers of Mexican criminals requested by the U.S. government. "We have no complaints about the level of cooperation we have received from Mexico, and the work we are doing with them is historic," he concluded to the press.

Sources: Milenio, Borderland Beat Archives, Borderland Beat Archives