Under President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico is restoring its security collaboration with the United States, signaling a shift from the strained relations experienced during the tenure of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Omar García Harfuch, the Security Cabinet coordinator, is playing a pivotal role in this renewed partnership by engaging in multiple meetings with top U.S. officials. These discussions have centered on intelligence sharing and combating organized crime, leading to faster information exchanges that have enabled quicker responses to criminal activities.

Since Sheinbaum took office, Mexican authorities have reported the arrest of tens of thousands, significant seizures of weapons and drugs, and the dismantling of numerous clandestine drug labs. The country has also expedited the extradition of high-profile criminal suspects to the United States, coinciding with a reported decrease in fentanyl trafficking. This cooperative approach marks a noticeable departure from the previous administration, which had shuttered a U.S. intelligence unit in Mexico and imposed stricter controls on foreign security agents.

Relations with the U.S. were further strained during López Obrador’s administration, especially after the 2020 arrest of former Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos and disagreements over organized crime investigations. Tensions escalated in 2024 following reports that drug-trafficking funds might have been linked to López Obrador’s 2006 presidential campaign, although these allegations did not lead to formal charges, they further eroded trust between the Mexican government and U.S. authorities.

Despite the progress in rebuilding ties, Sheinbaum continues to emphasize the importance of Mexico’s sovereignty and mutual respect in their dealings with the United States. Her administration has criticized what it perceives as attempts by U.S. officials to influence or divide Mexico’s security leadership. While the two nations seek enhanced coordination to tackle organized crime, Mexico remains adamant that any intelligence cooperation must not compromise its sovereignty and national interests.