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The recent operation by Mexican authorities, resulting in the seizure of 61 tons of drugs and more than 7,000 arrests, has sparked both praise and criticism. This event highlights the current strategies in the fight against drug trafficking and raises questions about their effectiveness in addressing the structural issues fueling this crisis.
The seizure, one of the largest in the country’s recent history, included substances such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and fentanyl—a highly dangerous synthetic drug that has contributed to the overdose crisis in the United States. According to the Mexican government, this operation demonstrates the administration’s commitment to combating drug trafficking on a large scale, aiming to dismantle entire distribution and supply networks.
However, the effectiveness of such large-scale actions has been questioned. Experts argue that while seizures and arrests are media spectacles, they do not necessarily reduce the operational capacity of cartels, which often recover their losses quickly. This approach seems to focus more on delivering immediate results than on resolving the structural issues that fuel drug trafficking, such as poverty, corruption, and institutional weakness.
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Moreover, mass arrests may include individuals with minor roles within these organizations, leaving leaders and hierarchical structures of organized crime intact.
The Security Cabinet carried out arrests, raids, and the seizure of weapons and drugs in various states: Mexico City, Sinaloa, Sonora, Veracruz, State of Mexico, among others.
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In this context, the use of armed forces for public security tasks has been a recurring theme. Although this model has continued under the new administration, the militarization of security has been criticized by organizations such as Human Rights Watch as a source of abuse and human rights violations.
The seizure of drugs like fentanyl underscores the connection between Mexican cartels and the opioid crisis in the United States, where thousands of people die annually from overdoses. This has intensified Washington’s demands for Mexico to strengthen its fight against drug trafficking. However, the constant flow of arms from the United States to Mexico complicates these efforts and fuels cartel-related violence.
The communities most affected by drug trafficking are often in economically marginalized regions, where cartels provide employment and “protection.” While mass operations may temporarily reduce their presence, they do not address the underlying causes of these regions’ reliance on the illicit economy.
The seizure of 61 tons of drugs is undoubtedly a logistical and operational achievement, but it should not be seen as a definitive solution to Mexico’s drug trafficking problem. The real challenge lies in implementing a comprehensive strategy that combines security measures with public policies aimed at social development, strengthening the rule of law, and fostering more effective cooperation with the United States and Canada.
If the Mexican government does not rethink its approach, the fight against drug trafficking could remain an endless battle, with high social and economic costs falling primarily on the most vulnerable populations.
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