Marco Rubio's Mexico Visit: Five Key Takeaways from US-Mexico New Security Cooperation Program

Details | On September 3, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum to formalize a "Border Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation Program". Afterwards, Rubio and Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held a joint press conference to present the program’s characteristics and current results.

The program established a high-level working group focusing on five priority areas: tackling illicit financial flows and fuel theft, arresting violence perpetrators and traffickers, eliminating cross-border tunnels, intelligence sharing, and border security training.

| Read the press release: Spanish | English | View the press conference: Spanish |

1 / US Venezuelan Vessel Strike Dominated the Press Conference

Three out five journalists asked about the September 2 US strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel and Mexico’s position. Rubio defended the strike and said the US would continue with such attacks on international waters to defend the security of US nationals. De la Fuente deflected giving a specific position and cited Mexico’s foreign policy principles of non-intervention and self-determination, while saying Mexico is open to diplomatic relations with all countries. The next day, at her morning conference, a journalist asked President Sheinbaum about the possibility of similar US attacks near Mexico’s waters. She ruled out any similar attack and highlighted the strong US-Mexico security cooperation.

Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

2 / Mexico Clarifies on Terminology: "Program" vs "Agreement"

Before the meeting, at her morning conference, President Sheinbaum clarified that Mexico would accept a security program, rather than signing an agreement. She said signing an agreement would carry "other connotations", potential consequences for non-compliance, while leaving it as a program would allow legal flexibility for both countries. The distinction opens the door for Mexico Mexico to maintain committed cooperation while avoiding binding obligations that could legitimize a possible US intervention on Mexican soil, if Mexico fails to deliver results.

Source: Gobierno de México

3/ Mexico Balances Cooperation with Sovereignty

Foreign Minister de la Fuente outlined that the program formally states the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and coordination without subordination. The press release specified that each country will implement actions within its own territory. Secretary Rubio said the priority areas would focus on information sharing while maintaining separate implementation. The program's language aligns with the ruling government's current narrative of defending Mexico's soverignty, amid concerns of a possible US intervention.

4/ Fuel Theft Emerges as New Bilateral Priority Area:

The cooperation program identified fuel theft (known in Mexico as huachicol) as one of five priority areas, marking its first appearance as a prominent bilateral security concern. This represents a new area of US-Mexico security cooperation focus, alongside the traditional priorities of drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and border security that have characterized previous bilateral arrangements. Moreover, this links to US interest in tackling illicit money flows.

Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

5 / Mexico Aims for a Structured Security Cooperation Threshold

President Sheinbaum said at her morning conference that the program aims to establish indicators and metrics to define if results are achieved. Minister de la Fuente raised a 93% year over year (YoY) decrease on migration encounters at the border and a 50% decrease YoY in fentanyl seizures. Rubio highlighted as the main result Mexico’s transfer of 55 drug traffickers to the US. Rubio also acknowledged the advancements in their security cooperation and expressed hope for further results, recognizing it is a shared issue. Sheinbaum had previously stated that indicators could shift the Mexico-US security cooperation as one based on established rules to avoid surprise actions by the US and shift Mexico from reactive to proactive responses and align them with their new National Security Strategy.

Want the full strategic picture?

Corporate clients at Camargo International Consulting receive:

• Quantified economic impact projections

• Political risk scenarios and probability assessments

• Sector-specific investment recommendations

• Regulatory timeline predictions

• Direct analyst consultation access

  
  

Get Full Mexico Political & Economic Daily Access → Book a Call

Questions? Reply to connect with our analysis team.

This article is a product of Camargo International Consulting S.A. de C.V. All Rights Reserved.

The information presented in this article is provided for informational purposes only. Camargo International Consulting S.A de C.V. expressly disclaim any liability for decisions made or actions taken based on this material. By accessing this content, users agree to hold harmless the authors and publishers from any claims arising from the use of this information.