Trump credits Sheinbaum’s efforts, demands more action
A U.S. presidential determination recognizes Mexico’s seizures, lab dismantling and border deployments while calling for stronger action against cartel protection networks, more inspections and security investment. Mexico remains on Washington’s fiscal 2027 list of major drug-transit or production countries, but is not among the four countries placed in the separate demonstrable-failure category.
U.S. President Donald Trump credited Claudia Sheinbaum’s government with increased drug seizures, the destruction of clandestine laboratories and the deployment of additional Mexican police and military resources along the shared border. But in a presidential determination on major drug-transit and drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027, Trump said Mexico should do more, including investigating, arresting and prosecuting public officials who collaborate with or protect criminal organizations. El Imparcial reported that the document was sent to Congress and released on Sept. 16.
The determination says Washington’s recognition does not mean it considers Mexico’s efforts sufficient. It calls for stronger action against organizations the Trump administration describes as “narcoterrorist” groups, as well as greater investment in Mexico’s security forces, expanded inspections at entry points and more private-sector participation in protecting supply chains. The document does not identify specific officials, set a Mexican budget target or require private companies to perform police or military duties. Those are general demands and assessments by the Trump administration, not individual accusations or a new statutory spending obligation.
Trump also attributed progress against criminal-group leaders to bilateral cooperation. The source article says that list included Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” whom it reports died during a Mexican operation in February 2026; El Imparcial cited an earlier Reuters report saying a U.S. military-led group provided intelligence during the search. Mexico remains among 23 countries Washington lists as major drug-transit or production territories for fiscal 2027, but the article notes that inclusion is not itself a sanction or proof that Mexico failed its counternarcotics obligations. Mexico was not among the four countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia—that Washington placed in the separate category for governments it said had demonstrably failed those obligations over the prior 12 months.
The determination also names China as a major source of chemical precursors used to make fentanyl, methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs. Trump acknowledged new Chinese licensing requirements for some exports to North America but said criminal organizations were evading controls with unregulated substances. El Imparcial’s original report is available at https://www.elimparcial.com/mundo/2026/09/16/trump-vuelve-reconocer-las-acciones-de-sheinbaum-contra-el-narcotrafico-pero-exige-a-mexico-detener-y-procesar-a-funcionarios-corruptos-que-protejan-a-los-carteles.