U.S. Special Forces Training Mexican Marines Signals Bold Stand Against Cartels and Crime
Previous training programs, such as the 2010 counter-narcotics training of Mexican troops in Colorado, typically took place on U.S. soil.
In a decisive move to bolster Mexico's defense capabilities, the Mexican Senate's Naval Ministry Commission unanimously approved the deployment of U.S. Army Green Berets to train the nation's marine infantry. This collaboration, set to commence on February 17, 2025, at the Luis Carpizo naval facility in Campeche, underscores a significant escalation in U.S.-Mexico military cooperation.
Eleven members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) will lead this mission, focusing on enhancing the operational proficiency of Mexico's Infantería de Marina. The training regimen encompasses both conventional and unconventional combat tactics, aiming to equip Mexican forces with advanced skills to counteract the pervasive influence of drug cartels and organized crime. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb the influx of fentanyl into the United States and to stem the illegal flow of firearms into Mexico.