President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, recently made headlines by criticizing an investigation by The New York Times into alleged drug trafficking contributions to his 2018 campaign. During a televised conference, López Obrador questioned why a foreign entity was investigating a legal, independent government. He emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty and independence.
The investigation in question was initially based on information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and alleged that drug traffickers contributed millions of dollars to López Obrador’s campaign. The president vehemently denied these claims, stating that they were false.
This incident is just one in a series of tensions between the Mexican government and U.S. agencies, particularly the DEA. The relationship between the two countries soured after the arrest of Mexican General Salvador Cienfuegos in 2020, based on DEA accusations.
Experts suggest that the recent leaks about organized crime links to López Obrador’s inner circle are the DEA’s way of asserting its power and reminding the president of his mortality. They believe that the DEA has a longstanding history of acting independently in Mexico, often causing disruptions in bilateral relationships.
The Cienfuegos case, which led to strained relations between the two countries, resulted in the Mexican government implementing regulations on foreign agents in Mexico. The DEA’s intelligence unit in Mexico City was also closed as a result of the incident.
The clash between López Obrador and the DEA highlights the long-standing power struggle between the two countries and raises questions about the future of their relationship. Ultimately, the tensions serve as a reminder of the complexities inherent in international collaborations, particularly in the context of combating drug trafficking.
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