The Senate of the Republic authorized the entry of 10 United States soldiers into Mexico to participate in a joint training with the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR).
The exercise, called "Strengthening the capacity of SEMAR's special operations forces", will take place at the Marine Infantry Specialized Training and Instruction Center in San Luis Carpizo, Campeche.
Militares EE.UU
Details of the military training
The training will be held from February 17 to March 28, 2025. Its objective is to improve the combat tactics of the special forces of both countries.
The U.S. soldiers belong to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, while the Mexican marines are part of the SEMAR Special Operations Unit.
Marina México
Objective of the training
The program will include exercises in conventional and unconventional combat, with an emphasis on maritime, land, and air environments. Among the techniques to be developed are:
Urban space combat.
Amphibious operations and landings.
Hostage rescue and tactical assaults.
Handling of explosives and demolitions.
This type of military cooperation is frequent and seeks to strengthen bilateral security.
Guarantee of sovereignty and Senate support
Senator Rolando Rodrigo Zapata Bello stated that the authorization doesn't compromise national sovereignty. He assured that the training will enhance SEMAR's operational capacity and allow for an exchange of experiences with foreign military forces.
The legislator also emphasized that Mexico keeps absolute control over the operations. Additionally, he reiterated that the presence of foreign troops will be temporary.
Criticisms and opposing views
Despite the approval, some sectors have expressed concern about the presence of foreign troops in Mexico.
Experts warn that these agreements may open the door to greater U.S. intervention in national security matters. However, defense specialists consider that this cooperation is key to confronting organized crime and drug trafficking.
Background of military cooperation
Mexico and the U.S. have worked together on security through agreements such as the Mérida Initiative and the Bicentennial Understanding. In the past, the Army and Navy have conducted training with U.S. forces, focused on special operations and counter-terrorism.
This new training occurs in a context of bilateral tension, with U.S. legislators pressing for the U.S. Army to intervene in the fight against cartels in Mexico.
The entry of U.S. troops for training with SEMAR strengthens security cooperation between both countries.
Although the Senate guaranteed that the measure doesn't compromise sovereignty, the debate over the role of the U.S. in Mexico's security strategy remains open.
