Chris Landberg, senior official for the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, called on Mexico to "invest more on its own security infrastructure and sustain its capabilities on its own."
Speaking before the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Landberg noted that Mexico is cooperating more than before on law enforcement issues, but noted it could do more. He focused on investing on its security forces and pushing China to keep fentanyl precursor chemicals from reaching the country and cartels.
"U.S. law enforcement is working to build Mexican security forces operational proficiency. We are also insisting on greater burden sharing," Landberg said, according to Border Report.
"Mexico must invest more on its own security infrastructure and sustain its capabilities on its own. Our assistance is catalytic, not perpetual," he added.
Elsewhere in the hearing, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Katherine Dueholm praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for sending tens of notorious cartels leaders to the U.S. and deploying tens of thousands of forces to the border.
However, the added that "in adhering to (Mexico's) constitutional non-interference foreign policy, the current administration has often acted counter to what we believe to be our shared values and to U.S. objectives." "We continue to urge Mexico to reconsider these positions," she added.
The statements are similar to those made by President Donald Trump and the White House throughout the administration. In late November, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that even though the Sheinbaum administration has made "historic strides" in cracking down on cartels, Trump is "very interested in taking additional measures" against criminal organizations.
Speaking during a briefing at the White House, Leavitt emphasized that the Sheinbaum administration has been "incredibly cooperative with the president's efforts at the southern border to crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking."
However, she added, Trump is looking at potential additional measures. "His national security team is discussing options all the time," and "additional options are at his disposal," Leavitt added.
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