Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) aimed at countering the Mexican drug cartels.
Specifically, the Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act requires the State Department to develop a strategy to revise current security assistance to Mexico so that its police, military, and national guard can better meet the country's security needs, including border protection.
Additionally, the new strategy must include plans to help strengthen the rule of law in Mexico and allow courts, prosecutors, and civilian law enforcement to crack down on the cartels through legal channels.
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"Every day, Arizonans see up close the consequences of illegal drug trafficking into the United States. Our relationship with Mexico and a shared security mission are critical to combat the cartels that produce these dangerous drugs," said Sen. Kelly in his press release, adding, "Our bipartisan bill will establish mission goals to effectively dismantle cartels and increase the capabilities of Mexico's law enforcement, strengthening U.S. national security and protecting our communities."
Similarly, Sen. McCormick noted, "For far too long, the Mexican drug cartels have poisoned communities in Pennsylvania and across the country with deadly fentanyl, killing more than 4,000 Pennsylvanians each year."
"We need a clear strategy to dismantle the cartels that has real accountability and metrics for success, so we know security cooperation is actually achieving results," Sen. McCormick continued, "I look forward to working with the Administration on this common-sense approach to saving American lives."
In February, President Donald Trump designated several of the cartels, including the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations, which opens the possibility of the United States engaging in military action against them.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the idea, saying it would violate Mexican sovereignty.
"The Mexican people will not accept under any circumstances interventions, interference, or any other act from abroad that could be harmful to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the nation," said President Sheinbaum.
Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) has also been a vocal skeptic of using military force against the cartels, even if President Trump is conducting the campaign, as "President Trump only gets four years, and I do not know if that is an enemy that you can defeat or diminish in four years."
