Web Desk
MEXICO CITY – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived in Mexico on Friday, concluding her tour of three Latin American nations focused on immigration, crime, and deportation policies.
This visit marks Noem’s first to the region, as the Trump administration ramps up deportation efforts and issues warnings about migration.
While Noem visited El Salvador and Colombia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Caribbean leaders in Guyana.
During her stop in Mexico, Noem was scheduled to meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum and top Mexican officials.
The discussions come amid rising economic tensions, as Mexico faces potential recession risks due to the new U.S. tariffs.
In recent months, Mexico has deployed 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and intensified crackdowns on drug labs.
Additionally, the Mexican government extradited 29 high-profile cartel figures to the U.S. in a bid to delay sanctions.
Despite President Donald Trump’s recent 25% tariffs on auto parts, Sheinbaum emphasized that her meeting with Noem would primarily focus on security and migration.
“We will share what is being done and highlight the collaboration between our nations,” Sheinbaum said in a press briefing. “This will be a cordial discussion on coordination.”
While other Latin American leaders have taken a more confrontational stance against Trump’s tariffs, Sheinbaum has sought a balanced approach.
On Wednesday, she announced Mexico would pursue “preferential treatment” regarding the auto tariffs.
Sheinbaum’s diplomatic handling of the U.S.-Mexico relationship has earned her strong domestic approval.
