Sheinbaum deploys National Guard to border in deal with Trump

Mexico sends 10,000 National Guard troops to the U.S. border to prevent drug trafficking and secure a tariff delay from Donald Trump.

Mexico's National Guard officers arrive at Military Air Base No. 12 at Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on February 4, 2025. Photo by Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

As part of her agreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump to delay steep tariffs on Mexico for one month, President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to send 10,000 additional National Guard troops to the northern border. The deployment aims to prevent drug trafficking into the United States, particularly fentanyl, a major concern for U.S. officials.

The decision places immense pressure on the National Guard, a relatively new force that was only established in 2019 and recently placed under military control. Unlike the United States, Mexico does not have a dedicated border patrol force, relying instead on its military and National Guard to enforce border security.

Security analyst Jonathan Maza, based in Mexico, noted that Mexican immigration officers are unarmed, making the National Guard essential for controlling migration and drug trafficking. “There’s no equivalent to the U.S. Border Patrol in Mexico, which is why the military and National Guard play such a central role,” he said.

Mexico’s evolving border enforcement strategy

Mexico has relied heavily on the National Guard for migration control in recent years. In 2019, under pressure from Trump, Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, deployed National Guard troops to Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala to curb illegal immigration. Now, Sheinbaum is expanding that strategy to focus on drug interdiction at the U.S.-Mexico border.

With approximately 130,000 personnel, the National Guard is being asked to take on an even greater role in combatting organized crime. However, Sheinbaum has not specified which regions the additional troops will be pulled from or how much the deployment will cost.

On Tuesday, the Mexican government confirmed that the 10,000 National Guard troops had already been redeployed to 18 cities and towns along the northern border, reinforcing security in key areas.

Impact of National Guard presence on drug trafficking

Experts suggest that the increased National Guard presence in border cities such as Tijuana and Nuevo Laredo could have a significant impact on drug smuggling operations. These locations have long been hotspots for organized crime and narcotics trafficking into the United States.

“If the National Guard is deployed in these critical areas, it could disrupt drug trafficking routes and deter criminal activities,” Maza said. However, he stressed that simply increasing troop numbers would not be enough. “For real impact, the U.S. and Mexico need to improve intelligence sharing and cooperation to target drug networks more effectively.”

In addition to drug enforcement, Sheinbaum has emphasized that the National Guard will also enhance overall security at the border. Her administration has sought to frame the deployment as part of a broader effort to address both drug flows northward and illegal weapons trafficking southward.

U.S. and Mexico vow to combat cross-border crime

A key element of Sheinbaum’s deal with Trump was a mutual commitment between the two countries to work together on security concerns. While much of the focus has been on Mexico’s efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, Sheinbaum has also pushed for greater U.S. action in preventing the flow of illegal firearms into Mexico.

For years, Mexico has argued that lax gun laws in the U.S. contribute to violence south of the border, with many firearms ending up in the hands of powerful drug cartels. While details on how the U.S. will address the issue remain unclear, Sheinbaum has framed the agreement as a step toward greater bilateral cooperation.

The National Guard’s growing role in Mexico’s security

The Mexican National Guard was originally established to fight organized crime, but its role has expanded significantly over the years. Last September, Mexican legislators amended the Constitution to place the force under direct military control, a move that critics argue gives the military excessive influence over public security.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the National Guard’s militarization, warning that it could lead to abuses against civilians. However, the Sheinbaum administration has defended the decision, arguing that the military is better equipped to handle security threats such as drug cartels and human trafficking networks.

Criminal adaptation and strategic deployment

Despite the short-term boost in security, experts caution that criminal organizations are highly adaptable and may adjust their tactics in response to increased military presence.

“Criminal groups always find ways to evade enforcement efforts,” Maza noted. “Deploying more troops may provide temporary results, but it’s not a long-term solution.”

Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, a drug policy researcher at the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation at the University of California, San Diego, highlighted the importance of strategic troop placement.

“If you’re only stationing National Guard members at the border, you’re not addressing the entire fentanyl supply chain,” she said. “Production doesn’t just happen at the border—it takes place in other parts of Mexico as well.”

Mexico’s high-stakes balancing act

Sheinbaum’s decision to deploy the National Guard is driven by Mexico’s urgent need to avoid economic disruption. With trade between the U.S. and Mexico reaching record levels, any imposition of tariffs would have severe economic consequences.

By complying with Trump’s demands on border security, Sheinbaum has bought Mexico a temporary reprieve from tariffs. However, the long-term sustainability of this approach remains uncertain.

As criminal networks adapt and geopolitical tensions fluctuate, Mexico will need to develop broader strategies beyond military deployment. Strengthening regional partnerships, improving intelligence cooperation, and diversifying trade relationships will all be critical to Mexico’s future stability.

For now, Sheinbaum has succeeded in deferring a trade crisis—but her administration’s ability to maintain both security and economic stability in the long run will be the true test of her leadership.