Mexico’s foreign secretary, Roberto Velasco, addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, pushing back—without naming him directly—against President Donald Trump’s recent claim that Mexico is “unfortunately the epicenter of cartel violence.” Velasco highlighted official data showing a decline in Mexico’s homicide rate, saying the progress was achieved “without the logic of war, without giving up human rights, and without making force the only answer.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized Mexico’s handling of organized crime since returning to office in January 2025, at times floating the idea of US military action against cartels operating on Mexican soil. Velasco countered that Mexico’s security strategy rests on “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” adding that “peace cannot be imposed” and that Mexico has shown it can cooperate closely with partners while still asserting its independence. He also pledged to defend the rights of Mexican migrants living in the US.
Guatemala’s foreign minister, Carlos Martínez Alvarado, echoed similar themes shortly afterward, calling for regional cooperation based on trust and mutual respect.
Velasco spoke on behalf of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who—like her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador—chose not to attend the Assembly in person, saying the timing wasn’t right.
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Source: Canciller mexicano habla en la ONU después de que Trump afirmó que México es “epicentro” de violencia (telemundo.com).
Image: broddi, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).