In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement, Mexico acted swiftly by deploying members of its National Guard along the US-Mexico border. President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to take firm action, ensuring that the country would bolster its border security. This decision comes after Trump accused Mexico of being complicit in drug trafficking, specifically pointing fingers at the nation's role in smuggling narcotics into the U.S. As a result, Trump had imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican imports.

On Monday, Sheinbaum and Trump met for discussions, where both leaders reached a mutual agreement. Under this agreement, Mexico would refrain from imposing additional tariffs on U.S. goods. In exchange, Mexico would work towards enhancing border security. As a direct result of this deal, Sheinbaum ordered an increase in the number of National Guard personnel deployed to the northern border.

Mexico had not previously assigned any specific forces to border patrol duties. Border security is a delicate issue, as the forces tasked with the responsibility of guarding the border are not allowed to carry weapons. To counter this, Mexico relied on its military and National Guard to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The National Guard was only established a few years ago and was recently placed under the control of the military.

According to the New York Times, President Sheinbaum has committed to sending an additional 10,000 National Guard members to the border. The primary goal of these forces is to prevent the smuggling of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States. In recent years, the National Guard has become Mexico's primary resource for curbing illegal immigration.

In 2019, under pressure from President Trump, Mexico's then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stationed National Guard troops along the southern border with Guatemala. Now, the National Guard, which numbers around 130,000, is being tasked with securing the northern border as well, in an effort to stop drug trafficking through this route.

This shift in military resources from other parts of Mexico to the northern border has sparked concerns. Critics worry that this redistribution of resources could jeopardize security in other regions of the country. The National Guard was initially created in 2019 to combat organized crime, but its controversial shift under the military's command last September has been met with significant criticism.