This Friday, February 27, 12 U.S. military personnel officially entered Mexico with their weapons to participate in a joint training program with Mexican special forces, following authorization granted by the Senate and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). The mission will take place at military installations in the State of Mexico and Quintana Roo, and will conclude on July 15, 2026.
The arrival of the U.S. personnel is part of Event No. SOF1, called “MEXSOF (Defense) Training,” a specialized training exercise between the two countries focused on strengthening the tactical, operational, and defense capabilities of special forces.
According to the official decree, the 12 personnel are members of the 7th Special Operations Group of the U.S. Special Operations Command North, an elite unit specializing in advanced tactical operations.
The Official Gazette of the Federation specifies that the delegation will enter Mexican territory with its weaponry and will be transported aboard a U.S. Air Force aircraft, under a bilateral cooperation agreement previously authorized by the Mexican Senate.
The military personnel will participate in a specialized defense training program focused on tactical training, knowledge sharing, and strengthening joint protocols between the armed forces of both countries.
The central objective of the exercise is to improve the operational capabilities, coordination, and strategic preparedness of Mexican special forces in highly complex scenarios.
The training will take place at three strategic military sites:
Special Forces Training Center, in Temamatla, State of Mexico
Regional Training Center of the 1st Military Region, in San Miguel de los Jagüeyes, State of Mexico
Military Air Base No. 4, in Cozumel, Quintana Roo
Key dates of the military deployment
Entry into Mexico: February 27, 2026
Arrival: Military Air Base No. 1, in Santa Lucía, State of Mexico
Departure: July 15, 2026
Return: Military Air Base No. 4, in Cozumel, Quintana Roo
Senate authorizes the entry of foreign troops
On Tuesday, February 17 of this year, the Senate approved the entry of U.S. military personnel into Mexican territory, with 91 votes in favor and six abstentions.
The decree stipulates that the Ministry of National Defense must submit a report to the Senate within 30 calendar days of the exercise’s conclusion, detailing the results obtained.
This is not the first time: U.S. Marines entered the country in February. UnoTV’s multiplatform news outlet reported that on February 11, 2026, the Senate authorized, with 105 votes in favor and one abstention, the entry into Mexico of 19 members of the U.S. Navy to participate in joint training exercises with Mexican forces.
The U.S. Marines arrived on February 15 at Campeche International Airport aboard a Hercules aircraft, carrying weapons, and will remain in the country until April 16. The training is taking place in San Luis Carpizo and at the Ciudad del Carmen Military Zone in Campeche, under the program called “Improving Force Training for Special Operations.”
The Mexican Constitution permits the entry of foreign troops into national territory only with the express authorization of the Senate, and always under frameworks of cooperation, training, or humanitarian aid.
In this case, the training is part of the military and defense cooperation agreements between Mexico and the United States.
Source: unotv
