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“Mexico on Edge: Trump’s Threats Shake Officials and Businesses” The New Reality President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. may have to “do something” about cartels “running Mexico” has sent a chill through Mexico City. Mexican officials and business leaders are increasingly anxious about the prospect of unilateral U.S. military action, especially after the dramatic arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro. “Mexico should indeed be concerned,” said former ambassador Arturo Sarukhán, “and Mexico is going to have to thread the needle very carefully.” ​ Behind Closed Doors While President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly dismisses talk of an “invasion,” behind the scenes, officials are ramping up cooperation with Washington on counternarcotics and border security to avoid giving the U.S. any justification for intervention. Mexican troops have been deployed to the border, high-level traffickers handed over to the U.S., and surveillance flights expanded—all in hopes of defusing tensions. ​ The Tightrope Walk The situation is delicate: Mexico must balance cooperation with the U.S. while maintaining its sovereignty. Sheinbaum has emphasized “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared but differentiated responsibility, mutual respect and trust, and cooperation without subordination”. Yet, the Venezuela precedent has emboldened hardliners in Mexico’s ruling party, who may push for a tougher stance against Washington if tensions escalate. ​ What’s at Stake A U.S. strike inside Mexico could plunge the country into chaos, but the U.S. also depends heavily on Mexico for trade, migration, and fighting cartels. Both sides have enormous incentives to cooperate, but the shadow of unilateral action looms large. As one Mexican official put it, “The U.S. needs Mexico on trade, the U.S. needs Mexico on migration, and the U.S. needs Mexico on going after the criminal groups. The reverse is also true.” #mexico#trump#cartels#bordersecurity#hemisphericpower 📱American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸