Quick Hit:

Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declares a 'Mexico First' policy, refusing to battle drug cartels based on U.S. directives, amid a complex backdrop of violence and extortion.

Key Details:

• President López Obrador of Mexico has rejected fighting drug cartels under U.S. influence, aligning with his 'Mexico First' policy.
• This stance is a departure from his previous 'hugs, not bullets' approach, and is attributed to addressing the issue as a Mexican, not a U.S., problem.
• The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a Sinaloa Cartel money-laundering network but López Obrador limits U.S. agents' operations in Mexico.

Diving Deeper:

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has taken a definitive stance in his country's ongoing battle with drug cartels, asserting that he will not fight them on U.S. orders. This statement is the clearest articulation yet of his 'Mexico First' policy, diverging from earlier approaches where he emphasized non-violence and addressing the root causes of cartel violence like poverty and lack of opportunities.

President López Obrador’s comments come as Mexican cartels have evolved beyond drug trafficking into complex criminal enterprises involving extortion, murder, and control of large territories. This shift has led to a spike in violence against anyone who refuses to comply with their demands, from business owners to street vendors. The cartels are no longer limited to traditional bases in the north but have expanded their influence into southern states like Guerrero and Michoacan.

The 'Mexico First' policy also reflects a broader trend of Mexican nationalism and independence, especially in matters of law enforcement and domestic policy. The President has restricted the operations of U.S. agents in Mexico and limited Mexican law enforcement's interaction with them. This stance, while echoing a return to a historical view that drug trafficking is primarily a U.S. issue, fails to fully address the complexity and domestic impact of cartel operations in Mexico.

Despite the President's claims of a significant reduction in homicides under his administration, statistics show a less dramatic decrease, with only a 9.7% drop in 2022 compared to 2021. The national homicide rate remains high, illustrating the continuing challenge of drug cartel violence in the country.

As Mexico grapples with these internal challenges, the 'Mexico First' policy might be seen as an attempt to assert sovereignty in tackling a deeply entrenched issue. However, this approach also raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies in dealing with the pervasive influence and violence of drug cartels across Mexico.

"Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador" by EneasMx licensed under (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)