President Biden is sending Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall to Mexico City for talks on combating the fentanyl crisis and addressing migration in the region. The delegation will meet with Mexican and Canadian counterparts to discuss various issues.
One of the main topics of discussion will be finding ways to combat the flow of fentanyl in North America. Mexican cartels use precursor chemicals from China to produce fentanyl in clandestine labs, which is then often pressed into counterfeit pills, leading to overdoses in the U.S.
Fentanyl is the primary cause of the overdose crisis that results in the death of over 100,000 Americans each year. The U.S. is urging Mexico to crack down on cartels within its borders, but Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has downplayed Mexico’s role in the supply chain, while also pointing to U.S. demand as a driving force in the problem.
Instead of military strikes, President Biden is seeking negotiated solutions. The Trilateral Fentanyl Committee, consisting of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, held an April summit, and this week’s meetings will represent the second round of discussions. The panel will focus on dismantling and prosecuting criminal drug networks, disrupting the flow of fentanyl-creating chemicals from overseas, and examining the flow of firearms into Mexico that fuels cartels’ violence.
The meetings will also address the ongoing issue of migration across the southern border. The goal is to crack down on human smugglers, establish more legal pathways into the U.S., and enhance the security of the southern border. The administration aims to build upon previous steps taken to address the humanitarian situation caused by migration flows.
The delegation to Mexico City includes Rich Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources; Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco; Kristie Canegallo, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; and Kemp Chester, Senior Adviser for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The State Department has stated that the meeting will enhance coordination on combating the synthetic drug threat, drug demand, drug trafficking methods, illicit finance, as well as discussing migration and expanding access to lawful pathways.
Unique Perspective
The issue of fentanyl and migration is a complex challenge that requires international cooperation. The Biden administration’s approach of engaging with Mexico and Canada to find solutions is a step towards addressing these pressing issues. By focusing on dismantling criminal drug networks, disrupting the flow of fentanyl-creating chemicals, and increasing security at the southern border, the administration is tackling both the supply and demand factors contributing to the crisis. This multifaceted approach demonstrates a commitment to combatting the fentanyl epidemic and managing migration in a comprehensive manner.
