Natalie Kitroweth

Yeah, I mean, obviously the threat of military intervention in any way, even if it's just targeted strikes, is anathema in Mexico. But the threat of tariffs has long seemed much more credible.

Yeah, I mean, obviously the threat of military intervention in any way, even if it's just targeted strikes, is anathema in Mexico. But the threat of tariffs has long seemed much more credible.

I have to say, of the two, I think the tariff threat is the one that really spurs the action because there's a deadline. I mean, last month, Trump essentially gave the Mexican government 30 days to show results on security, to deliver him the progress he wanted to see on fentanyl. And

I have to say, of the two, I think the tariff threat is the one that really spurs the action because there's a deadline. I mean, last month, Trump essentially gave the Mexican government 30 days to show results on security, to deliver him the progress he wanted to see on fentanyl. And

When there's a deadline, I mean, people hustle to meet that deadline, especially if, you know, on the other side of that is potential economic ruin. So I do think that was really motivating here.

When there's a deadline, I mean, people hustle to meet that deadline, especially if, you know, on the other side of that is potential economic ruin. So I do think that was really motivating here.

Well, the leaders in Mexico are just absolutely baffled about these tariffs. They do not understand why they're getting punished after having delivered so many wins for Trump on security. I mean, just days ago, the Mexican government handed over 29 drug lords that the U.S. government had been seeking to prosecute in the United States. These are major figures that had been given over to the U.S.

Well, the leaders in Mexico are just absolutely baffled about these tariffs. They do not understand why they're getting punished after having delivered so many wins for Trump on security. I mean, just days ago, the Mexican government handed over 29 drug lords that the U.S. government had been seeking to prosecute in the United States. These are major figures that had been given over to the U.S.

government. And the Mexicans are saying, wait a minute. We've gone hard on these cartels. We've given you these capos. What more could we possibly do? Well, what's the answer?

government. And the Mexicans are saying, wait a minute. We've gone hard on these cartels. We've given you these capos. What more could we possibly do? Well, what's the answer?

Well, I mean, it's unclear. Nobody knows exactly what Trump wants. And it's a mystery whether there are actual benchmarks here or not, or whether the goalposts are just going to keep moving and moving and moving. And there is some suggestion that they might reach a deal soon. But... The reality is that this pressure is horrific for Mexico. Mexico is incredibly dependent on the U.S.

Well, I mean, it's unclear. Nobody knows exactly what Trump wants. And it's a mystery whether there are actual benchmarks here or not, or whether the goalposts are just going to keep moving and moving and moving. And there is some suggestion that they might reach a deal soon. But... The reality is that this pressure is horrific for Mexico. Mexico is incredibly dependent on the U.S.

economy, on being able to access U.S. markets. This could potentially push the country into a recession. And so Claudia Shainbaum and her government are going to do absolutely everything they can to get out from under this. And if that means... More security gains.

economy, on being able to access U.S. markets. This could potentially push the country into a recession. And so Claudia Shainbaum and her government are going to do absolutely everything they can to get out from under this. And if that means... More security gains.

I think they're looking at how they can possibly do more because they feel like they have their foot completely on the gas at this point. And they still got hit with the tariffs.

I think they're looking at how they can possibly do more because they feel like they have their foot completely on the gas at this point. And they still got hit with the tariffs.

Yeah, I mean, it remains to be seen. I mean, I told you that I was skeptical at the outset that this would have made a real difference. And I was proven wrong by the reporting. It very much has made a difference. But we have no idea, actually, what the Mexican government may be able to accomplish as it tries to stave off these tariffs, get out from under them. Keep in mind.

Yeah, I mean, it remains to be seen. I mean, I told you that I was skeptical at the outset that this would have made a real difference. And I was proven wrong by the reporting. It very much has made a difference. But we have no idea, actually, what the Mexican government may be able to accomplish as it tries to stave off these tariffs, get out from under them. Keep in mind.

The Mexican government has been busting labs across the country, but the most intense crackdown has been mainly concentrated in this one state, Sinaloa. It's a really important state, it's a major hub of fentanyl production, but it's just one state.

The Mexican government has been busting labs across the country, but the most intense crackdown has been mainly concentrated in this one state, Sinaloa. It's a really important state, it's a major hub of fentanyl production, but it's just one state.