Top US, Mexican diplomats discuss measures against drug trafficking

During the phone call, the two top diplomats discussed “the need for stronger cooperation to dismantle Mexico’s violent narcoterrorists networks and stop the trafficking of fentanyl and weapons,” said the US State Department.

Rubio reaffirmed the US’ “commitment to stopping narcoterrorism and stressed the need for tangible results to protect our homeland and hemisphere,” it added.

The statement came after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday called for stronger cooperation with Washington after US President Donald Trump said he would soon launch attacks on cartels across the southern border.

“We are going to strengthen communication, which is why I asked Juan Ramon de la Fuente to meet with the (US) secretary of state,” said Sheinbaum. “There is a working group, so we will further strengthen the relationship.”

In a separate post on US social media company X, Mexico's Foreign Ministry said de la Fuente held the call with Rubio to "follow up on the Border Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation Program."

It noted that the call had taken place at Sheinbaum's instruction, "under the principles of unrestricted respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared responsibility, mutual trust, and collaboration without subordination."

Following the Jan. 3 US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, Trump said Mexico was next in line for strikes against drug cartels.

Trump, claiming that the cartels were the real force governing Mexico and Sheinbaum was unable to confront them, vowed that Washington would “start, now, hitting land.”

“The cartels are running Mexico -- it’s very, very sad to watch, and see what’s happened to that country,” he said in an interview Thursday.