Mexico: Sheinbaum outlines security progress before tariffs take effect

With just a few days to go before the tariffs established by the Trump Administration on many of the products imported from Mexico begin to go into effect, President Claudia Sheinbaum boasted of the progress made in terms of security in her country, which was one of the main reasons for the decision made by Donald Trump.

During her morning appearance, Sheinbaum highlighted that the number of daily homicides in Mexico has fallen since September 2024.

"Although it is a preliminary figure, between September and March, it is 19 homicides per day less. That is to say, in September 2024, 19 more homicides were committed daily than what the preliminary figure for March is giving us," the Mexican president explained.

In the speech, it was detailed that the daily average of homicides has dropped from 86.9 to 67.4, which implies a reduction of 22.4%.

When asked if the Trump Administration has reached out to comment on this 'improvement', Sheinbaum noted that she is aware that the United States is aware of the situation in Mexico, and that they are fighting to prevent fentanyl trafficking.

"Of course this is seen by the United States. And, moreover, in this strategy, what do we do? Well, we prevent fentanyl from crossing. Why do we do it? For humanitarian reasons and because of the collaboration we have with the United States," Sheinbaum concluded.

Trump recognizes Mexico's progress

Sheinbaum was not wrong when she said that the improvements implemented in security matters are being observed from the other side of the border.

In the meeting with the new diplomatic corps stationed in Mexico, Trump tersely acknowledged that Sheinbaum's government "has stepped up" its security measures and efforts, mainly on the border, to deal with crime and drug trafficking crossing into the United States.

"She has stepped up the measures a lot. Let's see what happens," the president told the new ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson.

April 2 is the last date set for tariffs of 25% on all products imported from Mexico, except those incorporated in the North American Free Trade Agreement (T-MEC), to take effect. This initiative has had a total of two moratoriums since it was signed at the end of January.