During a news conference for Mexico’s anti-drug campaign, the country’s president made it clear that Mexico is not the only source of fentanyl. This statement comes in response to recent threats from President-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Mexico due to drug trafficking concerns.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that so far, they have not discovered any precursors being imported into Mexico. She highlighted that the majority of precursors come from Asia, and the entire manufacturing process takes place within Mexico. She further emphasized that the laboratories that have been dismantled in Mexico primarily focus on producing methamphetamine or crystal meth.
Sheinbaum emphasized the commitment of her government to tackle the illegal distribution of drugs. Over the past few weeks, Mexican authorities have made significant seizures of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin, along with the associated chemical precursors. It was reported last month that the confiscation of over a ton of fentanyl pills marked the largest seizure in the history of the country.
During the news conference, Sheinbaum acknowledged that there are concerns regarding the presence of fentanyl in Mexico. However, she emphasized that the issue is not as extensive as it is in the United States, where the drug has been associated with tens of thousands of overdose deaths.
President Trump, who is set to begin his second term on January 20, has announced his intention to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican exports if the country fails to effectively control the influx of drugs and migrants.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Mexican cartels play a central role in the synthetic narcotics crisis in the United States.
According to the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa Cartel holds a dominant position in the fentanyl market by controlling the global supply chain and operating clandestine fentanyl labs in Mexico.
According to the DEA, the cartel has been manufacturing large amounts of fentanyl since at least 2012.
During a news conference on Monday, Ken Salazar, the outgoing U.S. ambassador, expressed his certainty that the drug had been produced in Mexico.
“He said he is aware of the presence of fentanyl in Mexico and believes that it is also being manufactured locally,” he stated.
In a 2024 interview with “60 Minutes,” former Mexican president Andrés Manuel López echoed Sheinbaum’s stance.
According to Manuel López, fentanyl is manufactured in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The chemical precursors for producing fentanyl are sourced from Asia.
