Ciudad Juárez, Mexico — A convoy of trucks from the Mexican National Guard and army made its way along the border that separates Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday. This movement marks the beginning of a deployment of 10,000 troops sent by Mexico to its northern border in response to tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
Armed and masked members of the National Guard meticulously searched through vegetation alongside the border barrier on the outskirts of Ciudad Juárez. They retrieved makeshift ladders and ropes hidden in the underbrush, loading the items onto their vehicles. Additionally, patrols were observed in other border areas, including Tijuana.
This development follows a turbulent week at the border. Trump announced a postponement of severe tariffs on Mexico for at least one month. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum committed to deploying the National Guard to strengthen border security and tackle fentanyl trafficking.
Despite a significant decrease in both migration rates and fentanyl-related overdoses over the past year, Trump has declared a border emergency. The U.S. has also indicated it will enhance efforts to prevent American firearms from being smuggled into Mexico, as these weapons have contributed to cartel violence, which has spread to various areas of the country as criminal groups vie for control over the profitable migrant smuggling trade.
On Tuesday, the initial contingent of soldiers arrived in border cities via government aircraft. Guard members involved in the patrol on Wednesday confirmed that they were part of this newly arrived force. “There will be permanent surveillance on the border,” stated José Luis Santos Iza, a leader of the National Guard responsible for the deployment in the city. He emphasized that the primary aim of this operation is to curb drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, particularly focusing on fentanyl.
Government statistics suggested that at least 1,650 troops would be stationed in Ciudad Juárez, making it one of the primary locations for border reinforcements, second only to Tijuana, which is set to receive 1,949 troops.
During U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Latin America, where issues related to migration were a central topic, the top U.S. diplomat expressed gratitude to the Mexican government for their contributions of forces, as reported by the Mexican government.
Sheinbaum’s negotiation regarding border security has been seen by analysts as a strategic political move by the newly elected Mexican leader. Many had previously expressed doubts about her ability to manage relations with Trump’s administration as effectively as her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
