ICE Reveals That U.S. Agents Are Operating in Mexico

In a bold move, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it had a leadership role in a significant anti-drug operation in Sinaloa, Mexico. These events come in the wake of increased tensions between the United States and Mexico under President Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, respectively.

This operation, which ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit said it spearheaded, targeted three clandestine narcotics and chemical precursor laboratories linked to cartel operations. The mission was reportedly coordinated with Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR), the Criminal Investigation Agency, the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), and the Navy.

The operation has ignited political controversy, as after American President Donald Trump signed an executive order to label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration would not permit U.S. agents to carry out enforcement actions on Mexican territory. "We all want to fight the drug cartels," Sheinbaum said at a press briefing. The U.S. "in their territory, us in our territory."

While ICE did not disclose the quantity of drugs seized, it highlighted that the collaboration aimed to identify drug precursor shipments originating from China and dismantle drug production facilities operated by cartels in Mexico. Photographs released on ICE's official social media accounts depicted security forces and the interiors of the dismantled clandestine laboratories.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, Mexico has intensified its crackdown on drug cartels. According to Mexican Security Chief Omar García Harfuch, over 750 clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled within the first six months of President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration after being elected in 2024.

This development occurs amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over drug trafficking, immigration control, and water debt. The U.S. also recently struck a deal with family members of the notorious narco, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, for permanent residency in the United States. U.S. authorities have intensified efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, particularly targeting the Sinaloa cartel, which is considered a significant contributor to the opioid crisis in the United States.

Meanwhile, drug cartels hold the state of Sinaloa in a state of perpetual violence, as a civil war has begun within the Sinaloa Cartel. After the capture of El Chapo and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in September of 2024, two factions loyal to either Guzmán or Zambada have been in a conflict that has left thousands dead or missing.

As of now, President Sheinbaum's administration has not issued an official statement regarding the ICE-led operation.