U.S. presses Mexico to allow joint raids on fentanyl labs

The United States is intensifying pressure on Mexico to permit U.S. military forces to take part in joint operations to dismantle fentanyl labs inside Mexico, according to American officials. U.S. officials have renewed a proposal, first raised last year, that would have Special Operations troops or C.I.A.

officers accompany Mexican soldiers on raids, the officials said. The request was renewed after U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela on Jan. 3 and has reached the highest levels of government, according to multiple officials. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has said her government rejects sending American troops across the border while agreeing to continue cooperation; she said Mr.

Trump "generally insists on the participation of U.S. forces," according to a news conference account. Mexican officials have offered counterproposals this month, including increased information sharing and a larger U.S. role inside command centers. U.S. advisers are already in some Mexican military command posts sharing intelligence, and American officials say the C.I.A.

began secret drone flights over Mexico under the Biden administration that have expanded under Mr. Trump to locate labs and track precursor chemicals. U.S. officials also say fentanyl labs are harder to detect than meth labs because they emit fewer chemical traces and are often operated in small urban spaces.

Key Topics

World, Mexico, Fentanyl Labs, Claudia Sheinbaum, Donald Trump, Sinaloa Cartel