Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena boasted about Mexico’s efforts against fentanyl trafficking and assured that her country’s law enforcement agencies have seized 25% of this drug worldwide; the official acknowledged the support of the U.S. Government.
Alicia Barcena Calls for International Cooperation to Combat Fentanyl, Arms Trafficking, and Immigration Challenges
Alicia Bárcena, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), highlighted Mexico’s role in the fight against drugs and from the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) said that 25% of the fentanyl produced globally is seized in Aztec territory.
“In reality, the country that has seized the most fentanyl is Mexico. We are very active and we are one of the countries that contribute the most, we have seized 25% of the fentanyl that circulates in the world”, said the Mexican Foreign Minister, who also recognized the great contribution of the initiative headed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to try to curb drug trafficking, which costs the lives of millions of people in the world every year.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times more addictive than heroin and its low cost makes it quite affordable, but its use is very dangerous for the body.
According to figures from the U.S. authorities, last year this drug caused the death of 70,000 people, not counting those who have become addicted.
“There is no issue that so urgently requires international cooperation as this one. But I am convinced that, if we work together, we can save lives,” said Antony Blinken a few days ago.
In this regard, Alicia Bárcena referred to the complexity of stopping the precursors used to produce fentanyl, as some products are also part of the production chain of at least two sectors of the industry.
“One part goes to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, and another for the production of illicit substances. It is important that we approach the private sector to supervise and regulate the supply chains,” she stressed.
The Mexican official took advantage of her speech to address two other issues related to the United States, such as arms trafficking and the exodus of migrants.
“We are also working to curb arms trafficking. There are 200,000 illegal weapons entering Mexico through the border,” she said, referring to the material with which drug cartels and other criminal groups are strengthened.
And with respect to the undocumented immigrants arriving from Central and South America with final destination in the United States, Bárcena acknowledged that it is an issue that exceeds Mexico’s response capacity, but also that of its northern neighbor.
“This is beyond the scope of any work, no matter how well Mexico and the United States do a good job. It is beyond it,” she said.