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The killing of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known as "El Mencho," on February 22, 2026, after he was <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexico-arrests-suspect-el-mencho-deadly-capture/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wounded</a> during a raid carried out by Mexican special forces, has once again highlighted the complexities of the war against organized crime in Mexico. It has also reaffirmed the centrality of security cooperation between the United States and Mexico in confronting transnational drug trafficking networks—particularly the fentanyl trade.Given the deep interconnection between the two countries’ security, economic, and border-related challenges, bilateral coordination has become a key instrument for curbing cartel activities and enhancing border control. Nevertheless, this cooperation remains shaped by a range of strategic drivers and mutual interests, as well as structural and political challenges that hinder its effectiveness and sustainability. This raises important questions regarding the nature of this security cooperation and the extent of its impact on the future of efforts to combat organized crime in the region.Drivers of CooperationCooperation between the United States and Mexico represents a central pillar in the equation of regional security and stability in North America. In this context, the drivers of such cooperation span security, economic, and strategic dimensions, as follows:1. Curbing the flow of drugs—particularly fentanyl—into the U.S. market: <a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/joint-statement-on-u-s-mexico-security-cooperation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Limiting the flow of drugs</a>, especially fentanyl, into the U.S. market constitutes one of the primary drivers of security cooperation between the two countries. Cross-border drug trafficking has become a direct threat to U.S. domestic security, prompting enhanced bilateral coordination in surveillance, intelligence, and counter-cartel operations.This shared commitment was reaffirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Mexican counterpart Juan Ramón de la Fuente during a phone call following the killing of El Mencho, underscoring both sides’ determination to confront organized crime and its sources of financing.Notably, El Mencho’s death does not signify the end of cartel-related violence. The assassination was followed by a significant escalation on the ground, as cartel elements carried out widespread acts of violence, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexico-arrests-suspect-el-mencho-deadly-capture/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">including road blockades</a> in approximately 20 out of Mexico’s 32 states, as well as the burning of vehicles and commercial facilities, including in Guadalajara and the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco.2. Strengthening intelligence cooperation and information sharing<a href="https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/cqlg07ydw2ro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">: Enhancing intelligence cooperation</a> and information exchange between the United States and Mexico constitutes a cornerstone of efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. U.S. sources revealed that Washington provided Mexican authorities with precise intelligence that contributed to the successful operation against El Mencho.Mike Vigil, former head of international operations at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), described the operation as "one of the most significant in the history of drug trafficking enforcement," highlighting the unprecedented level of coordination between the two sides in intelligence sharing.3. Border control and combating organized crime and arms trafficking: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/cqlg07ydw2ro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Border control and the fight against organized</a> crime and arms trafficking represent key pillars of U.S.–Mexico cooperation, particularly in light of the growing scale of cross-border smuggling activities. Since October 2024, U.S. authorities have seized approximately 4,182 kilograms of fentanyl, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection released in June 2025.Around 96% of this quantity was intercepted along the southwestern border with Mexico. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that El Mencho had been a "top target" for both the Mexican and U.S. governments, given his central role in trafficking fentanyl into the U.S. market.4. Protecting economic and trade interests through securing border corridors: This driver stems from the <a href="https://globalamericans.org/challenges-and-opportunities-for-u-s-mexico-security-cooperation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">deep economic interdependence</a> between the two countries, which plays a critical role in their mutual security and prosperity. Economic and security conditions in Mexico have a direct impact on the United States, particularly through shared production and supply chains.At the same time, the United States is Mexico’s largest trade and investment partner. However, strong U.S. demand for drugs—combined with the flow of firearms legally purchased in the United States and illegally trafficked into Mexico—contributes to worsening Mexico’s security environment and fueling cartel activities.5. Addressing irregular migration flows across the border: Efforts to <a href="https://globalamericans.org/challenges-and-opportunities-for-u-s-mexico-security-cooperation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">curb irregular migration</a> represent a major axis of U.S.–Mexico cooperation, particularly amid the Trump administration’s emphasis on securing the southern border. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has implemented stringent measures to reduce illegal immigration, including declaring a national emergency and deploying the U.S. military to support deportation operations.These policies have been accompanied by U.S. demands for Mexico to assume a greater role in managing migration flows through its territory, including by allowing migrants to remain in Mexico under the "Remain in Mexico" program.Persistent ChallengesDespite the growing levels of security and intelligence cooperation between the United States and Mexico, this cooperation continues to face significant challenges that limit its effectiveness and sustainability, including:1. A legacy of weak institutional trust between the two countries: <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-chilling-of-us-mexico-security-collaboration/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Although security cooperation has improved</a> in recent years, it remains burdened by a long-standing lack of mutual trust. This has been fueled by issues such as the assassination of anti-narcotics agents, intelligence leaks, and the politicization of security matters. As a result, the exchange of sensitive intelligence continues to occur within a framework of caution and mutual suspicion.These concerns were further exacerbated by Mexico’s adoption of the National Security and Foreign Agents Law, which imposed restrictions on the activities of foreign agencies.2. U.S. pressure provoking public backlash in Mexico: Increasing U.S. pressure on Mexico has contributed to rising public resentment, prompting successive Mexican <a href="https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/effective-us-mexico-security-framework-requires-cooperation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">governments</a> at times to scale back or recalibrate security cooperation under the banner of protecting national sovereignty.This sensitivity has intensified amid hardline U.S. policies, particularly following President Trump’s designation of certain Mexican criminal groups as terrorist organizations. Such a move expands the authority of U.S. law enforcement agencies and could enable them to conduct operations on Mexican territory without explicit government approval—raising serious concerns in Mexico regarding sovereignty violations.3. Shifting priorities due to changes in leadership in Washington and Mexico City: <a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/us-mexico-security-cooperation-doubling-down-against-fentanyl-arms-trafficking-exploitation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Despite the launch of new cooperation frameworks</a>—such as the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities—a gap persists between declared objectives and their translation into clear, measurable, and actionable plans.This gap is largely driven by changes in leadership in both Washington and Mexico City, which result in shifting priorities among issues such as migration, tariffs, drug control, and domestic security, thereby undermining the sustainability of long-term strategies.4. Continued arms trafficking from the United States into Mexico: The <a href="https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-02-11/nearly-80-of-weapons-seized-by-mexicos-current-administration-come-from-the-us.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continued flow of weapons</a> from the United States into Mexico complicates efforts to reduce violence, as criminal cartels rely on these weapons to strengthen their influence and confront security forces.At the same time, many U.S. policymakers view stricter gun control as a highly sensitive domestic issue. The influx of trafficked weapons contributes to escalating violence in Mexico, including cases of enforced disappearances and other crimes linked to organized crime. Estimates indicate that approximately 78% of the weapons seized by the current Mexican administration originated in the United States.5. Corruption and cartel infiltration within Mexican security and judicial institutions: The <a href="about:blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">spread of corruption</a> and the infiltration of criminal cartels into segments of Mexico’s security and judicial institutions represent major obstacles to effective cooperation with the United States. These dynamics weaken institutional capacity to implement security agreements efficiently, slow down law enforcement procedures, and complicate joint operations—ultimately undermining bilateral efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking networks.ConclusionOverall, the killing of El Mencho represents a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the fight against criminal cartels in Mexico, while also reinforcing the importance of security coordination between Washington and Mexico City in addressing cross-border threats—particularly drug trafficking and organized crime.However, the effectiveness of this cooperation remains contingent upon the ability of both sides to overcome structural and political challenges, including issues of trust, sovereignty sensitivities, continued arms flows, and institutional corruption. Achieving sustainable outcomes in the fight against cartels will therefore require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond security measures to address the economic and social roots that fuel organized crime in the region.

Drivers and Challenges of U.S.–Mexico Cooperation in Confronting Cartels