A team of US Special Forces has arrived in Mexico to provide combat training for its marine infantry as part of a new effort to crack down on cartel activity. The training initiative was approved by the Mexican Senate and follows discussions between President Claudia Sheinbaum and President Donald Trump.
US Special Forces will be landing in Mexico this week to train Mexican infantry after a Mexican Senate commission approved the measure:
“The Americans will come fully armed as part of a mission to train the Mexican Navy’s Infantería de Marina (marine infantry) on conventional… pic.twitter.com/vHVddDrdm9
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 17, 2025
The 7th Special Forces Group is overseeing the training at the Luis Carpizo naval facility in Campeche. The program runs from February 17 to March 30 and focuses on both traditional and unconventional combat techniques.
Special Forces have arrived in Mexico for a training exercise. Training Mexico’s Marines. 🇺🇸 & 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/MSRMmSVa0L
— Salty 🇺🇸 El Kekistador🗡️ (@realSaltySeaDog) February 17, 2025
According to Sen. Alejandro Moreno Cardenas, who chairs the Senate Naval Ministry Commission, the US forces arrived ahead of the mission’s launch. The Senate commission gave unanimous approval to the operation after Sheinbaum called for additional military collaboration.
Cartels in Mexico play a central role in supplying drugs to the US. Many trafficking networks obtain fentanyl precursors from China, refine the substance in Mexico, and then smuggle it across the border. The US has repeatedly urged Mexico to take stronger action against the criminal organizations responsible.
BREAKING: The Mexican Senate has approved the entry of United States Special Forces into Mexico starting this week.
This comes as President Trump continues his immense pressure on the Mexican government to take out the cartels.
The plan is for the Army's 7th Special Forces… pic.twitter.com/98Gz8tid0C
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 17, 2025
Trump recently escalated pressure on Mexico by issuing an executive order that designates cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He has also warned of trade penalties if Mexico does not do more to curb cartel operations. The two governments have also agreed to increase enforcement against firearm smuggling from the US into Mexico.
Scott Stewart, an intelligence analyst at TorchStone Global, emphasized that the Green Berets’ involvement is strictly limited to training. Meanwhile, reports emerged earlier this month of an alleged US spy plane off the coast of Baja California, though Mexican officials denied any unauthorized activity.
