Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Photo: Presidencia

By KELIN DILLON

In line with U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s demands, recent data has revealed a significant decrease in fentanyl trafficking from Mexico to the United States, coinciding with the efforts of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. 

Trump had previously threatened to impose sweeping tariffs of 25 percent on Mexico unless the country ramped up its border controls to stop the flow of fentanyl and prevent illegal border crossings into the United States. 

The new reports show that border seizures of the synthetic opioid have fallen by as much as 70 percent, marking a substantial shift in the landscape of drug trafficking between the two nations. 

Likewise, new statistics show a 97 percent drop in illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In addition to fentanyl, trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin has also seen a notable decline, estimated at 45 percent. Efforts to combat these issues are ongoing, with collaboration between Mexican and U.S. authorities intensifying. 

On Wednesday, April 16, the Mexican Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) reported that Sedena’s head, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, held a video call at the request of U.S. Northern Command Commander Gregory M. Guillot. 

During the conversation, Trevilla acknowledged the cooperative efforts of both nations’ armed forces, which contributed to the decrease in illegal border crossings and drug seizures. 

The new data also highlights a 59 percent increase in the seizure of ammunition and weapon parts compared to the same period last year.