Military Deployment and Its Effectiveness
In response to the fentanyl crisis, Mexico has intensified its military-led drug enforcement efforts, involving the Army, Navy, and National Guard. This approach includes:
- Destroying clandestine drug labs and seizing chemical precursors.
- Increasing border security patrols to intercept shipments.
- Record-breaking fentanyl seizures, including over 1.5 tons in 2023 alone.
Have Seizures Reduced Fentanyl Flow?
While Mexico reports higher drug seizures, U.S. border authorities have recorded a 480% increase in fentanyl confiscations between 2020 and 2023. Experts estimate that only 5–10% of illicit drugs are actually intercepted, suggesting that trafficking networks remain operational.
- Cartels have adapted by using smaller labs and harder-to-detect smuggling techniques.
- Fentanyl-related deaths in the U.S. continue to hit record levels despite increased enforcement.
- Contradictory statements from the Mexican government further complicate the narrative—while officials deny fentanyl labs exist, government reports confirm their presence.
Despite military efforts, the illicit fentanyl supply remains steady, raising concerns about the strategy’s long-term effectiveness.
Security and Human Rights Concerns
1. Increased Violence
- Clashes between cartels and military forces have led to urban warfare-like scenarios.
- In 2023, the capture of Ovidio Guzmán (El Chapo’s son) resulted in 29 deaths in Sinaloa, including 10 soldiers and 19 cartel members.
- Communities in Michoacán, Guerrero, and Chihuahua have suffered forced displacements due to cartel violence.
2. Human Rights Violations
- Extrajudicial killings and disappearances linked to military forces have been widely documented.
- Human Rights Watch and WOLA report that:
- Military units lack transparency in recording arrests.
- Impunity is common, with few soldiers facing prosecution for abuses.
3. Rising Number of Mass Graves
- Over 111,500 people have disappeared in Mexico since 2007, with thousands of mass graves uncovered.
- More than 50% of these graves were found during the current administration, signaling an ongoing human rights crisis.
The militarized drug war has not only failed to curb trafficking but has also contributed to increased violence and human rights abuses.
Corruption Enabling Drug Trafficking
1. Corruption in Mexico
- Former Security Chief Genaro García Luna was convicted in the U.S. for collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel, allowing over one million kilograms of cocaine into the U.S.
- Police, military, and customs officials continue to be implicated in protecting drug shipments.
2. Corruption in the U.S.
- Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have been caught taking bribes to facilitate drug smuggling.
- In 2023, a U.S. Customs agent in San Diego was arrested for allowing fentanyl shipments across the border.
Corruption in both countries allows drug networks to operate despite military crackdowns.
U.S.-Mexico Relations and Policy Responses
1. U.S. Pressure on Mexico
- The Biden administration introduced the Bicentennial Framework to enhance bilateral cooperation.
- Some U.S. lawmakers have called for designating cartels as terrorist organizations and even military intervention in Mexico.
2. Trump’s Return to Power in 2025
- Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Mexican imports if fentanyl trafficking was not controlled.
- Mexico responded by deploying 10,000 additional troops to border regions.
While these measures demonstrate Mexico’s willingness to cooperate, experts question their long-term effectiveness.
Expert Analysis: Why Military Force Alone Won’t Work
Security analysts argue that a military approach alone cannot solve the fentanyl crisis.
- Stephanie Brewer (WOLA): “Mexico is doubling down on a failed drug war strategy that hasn’t worked for decades.”
- Former Ambassador Arturo Sarukhán: «Deploying more troops is political theater—it won’t stop trafficking.”
- Jonathan Maza (Security Expert): «Intelligence-led operations, not military patrols, are the real solution.»
Key Recommendations
- Strengthen intelligence operations to dismantle cartel networks.
- Increase oversight of security forces to prevent abuses.
- Address corruption in both Mexico and the U.S.
- Focus on public health measures to reduce fentanyl demand.
Without a comprehensive strategy, experts warn that Mexico will continue fighting a losing battle against fentanyl trafficking.
A War Without an End?
Mexico’s military strategy has boosted drug seizures but failed to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain. Meanwhile, violence, human rights abuses, and corruption remain rampant.For real progress, both Mexico and the U.S. must shift toward a strategy that includes intelligence-led operations, institutional reforms, and public health initiatives. Without these measures, military force alone will only escalate the crisis.
