Staff Reports
Donald Trump built a solid part of his campaign on a promise to tackle the drug epidemic stemming from Mexico, focusing particularly on the villains behind the fentanyl crisis. After initially slapping back at the idea, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has decided to face reality — fentanyl is indeed being manufactured south of the border. Who would have guessed?
In an eye-opening press conference, Sheinbaum disclosed the unfortunate truth that while the Chinese supply the raw ingredients for this menace, the actual production takes place in her own backyard. It seems the Mexican authorities have finally accepted the fact that the country isn’t just a picturesque backdrop for Hollywood movies; it’s also becoming infamous as a drug manufacturing hub. Just in case anyone thought Mexico was cleaning up its act, she rolled out additional alarming statistics about meth labs being dismantled at an alarming rate as well.
Former president @lopezobrador_ denied over and over that fentanyl had anything to do with #Mexico; suddenly, his #morena socialist narcoregime boasts about making the largest seizure of fentanyl in Mexico's history.
It's a show and it only happened because of #TheTrumpEffect. pic.twitter.com/W7U8caovHS
— David Wolf (@DavidWolf777) December 4, 2024
Sheinbaum attempted to sell the notion that the Mexican government is seriously trying to put a dent into drug trafficking. From a hefty fentanyl bust to talk of proactivity, she went on about the achievements of Mexican officials. But skeptics might wonder if this newfound “commitment” owes more to economic pressure than to genuine concern for public health. After all, nothing says “We care” like being cornered.
What truly lit a fire under Mexico’s feet was a recent threat from Trump to slam a whopping 25% tariff on all products coming from Mexico unless they stepped up their game against drugs and illegal immigration. One has to wonder whether the reason for Sheinbaum’s sudden change of heart has anything to do with fear of a sudden increase in the price of avocados and Corona beers. There’s nothing like a potential escalating trade war to incentivize action, even if it’s for the wrong reasons.
Security analysts have noted that the Mexican government tends to act in accordance with Washington’s demand, often becoming reactive only when pressed. The consensus is simple: Mexico rarely sees fentanyl as a domestic problem until it’s gripped by undue pressure from its northern neighbor. So, while President Claudia Sheinbaum may be having a drug-related revelation, it’s clear that any serious commitment to tackling these issues may still be hanging in the balance, dependent solely on the whims of American politicians.
