On February 11, 2025, the Mexican Senate made a historic decision by unanimously approving the entry of US military personnel to participate in a training program for the Mexican Navy in Campeche. The approval, with 107 votes in favor, reflects strong support for this type of collaboration between the two countries.
The program, titled “Strengthening the Capacity of SEMAR Special Operations Forces,” will take place at the Navy Training Center in San Luis Carpizo, Campeche, from February 17 to March 28, 2025. The 10 US Army personnel involved will focus on enhancing the operational capabilities of the Mexican Navy, particularly in combating organized crime and reinforcing national security.
The primary goal of the training is to boost the Mexican armed forces’ effectiveness in special operations, involving both military intelligence and field tactics. This cooperation aims to strengthen Mexico’s national autonomy while modernizing its armed forces.
Senator Rolando Rodrigo Zapata Bello (PRI) emphasized that this bilateral collaboration is crucial for strengthening Mexico’s national security while preserving its autonomy. The Senate believes this cooperation will improve military training, facilitate intelligence sharing, and strengthen the relationship between the two nations, particularly in border security and transnational crime.
Senator Lilly Téllez García (PAN) also supported the collaboration, describing it as a mutually beneficial practice for both Mexico and the United States. She stressed that this cooperation should be viewed as a security measure rather than an invasion of Mexican territory, especially regarding organized crime.
The approved ruling includes authorization for a US Army C-130 military aircraft to land at Campeche International Airport with a special forces delegation. The Seventh Group of US Special Forces will conduct the training and instruction activities.
This agreement comes amid increasing cooperation between Mexico and the United States to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration. Collaboration has intensified on Mexico’s northern and southern borders, reinforcing strategies to address these issues.
Recently, Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, addressed allegations of possible US air espionage in Mexican territory. While not ruling out the possibility, Trevilla Trejo emphasized that US aircraft have not violated Mexican airspace. This adds to the ongoing presence of US military personnel in surveillance activities against Mexican cartels and recent tensions over national security.
This decision marks a significant step in bilateral cooperation, aiming to enhance security and operational capabilities in both countries.
Source: La Verdad Noticias
