A convoy of Mexican National Guard and Army trucks traversed the border separating Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, marking the initial deployment of 10,000 officers to the northern frontier.
The move follows tariff threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Masked and armed National Guard personnel combed through the brush lining the border barrier on the outskirts of Ciudad Juárez, retrieving makeshift ladders and ropes hidden in trenches. Similar patrols were observed along other border sections near Tijuana.
This heightened security presence follows a turbulent period during which Trump announced a temporary reprieve from imposing crippling tariffs on Mexico.
In return, newly elected Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to bolster border security and intensify efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling.
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Trump’s border emergency declaration has persisted despite a significant decline in migration levels and fentanyl overdoses over the past year.
The U.S. also committed to enhancing measures to prevent the trafficking of American firearms into Mexico, a factor exacerbating cartel violence and criminal competition over the lucrative migrant smuggling trade.
On Tuesday, the first wave of National Guard personnel arrived in border cities, disembarking from government aircraft. Guard members on Wednesday confirmed their assignment as part of this new deployment.
Government data indicated that Ciudad Juárez is set to receive at least 1,650 officers, making it one of the largest recipients of reinforcements after Tijuana, which is expected to receive 1,949 personnel.
During a diplomatic visit to Latin America, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude for Mexico’s deployment efforts, according to a statement from the Mexican government. Migration was a key topic during Rubio’s discussions with regional leaders.
President Sheinbaum’s negotiation has been viewed by analysts as a shrewd political manoeuvre. Observers had initially doubted her ability to navigate Trump’s
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