"No Criminal Organization Can Be Stronger Than the State," García Harfuch Tells DEA Conference

Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, participated in the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, he presented and highlighted the results of the National Security Strategy led by President Claudia Sheinbaum.

In his remarks—which he shared in a post on the social media platform X—he noted that under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, the Mexican state’s intelligence, investigative, and coordination capabilities have been strengthened. He also pointed out that "criminal organizations operate across borders," meaning the response cannot be isolated or fragmented. He reiterated Mexico's commitment to continued cooperation with international partners based on four principles—shared responsibility, reciprocity, mutual trust, and full respect for sovereignty—established by the Mexico-U.S. Security Cooperation Agreement signed on September 3, 2025.

In this regard, García Harfuch highlighted how cooperation and capacity-building have enabled the location, arrest, and transfer of priority targets sought by authorities in various countries, noting specifically the transfer of 92 high-impact targets to the United States. He also underscored the dismantling of infrastructure used for synthetic drug production and the disruption of the financial, logistical, and operational networks of transnational criminal organizations.

"No criminal organization can be stronger than the State when we act in coordination, with determination, and with absolute respect for each nation's sovereignty," Secretary García Harfuch emphasized.

Among other achievements of the National Security Strategy, he highlighted a 51% reduction in intentional homicides between September 2024 and July 2026. Additionally, he announced that 155 arrest warrants for extradition purposes, linked to investigations by U.S. agencies, remain active. He also reiterated that under the leadership of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the country will continue to strengthen its institutions and act with firmness, intelligence, and coordination to combat "those who generate violence and harm our societies."

DEA Recognition of Secretary García Harfuch

During the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), DEA Director Terry Cole acknowledged the distinguished career of the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, describing him as "a trusted partner and good friend of the United States."

"Secretary Harfuch has dedicated nearly two decades of public service to protecting the people of Mexico. He served as a federal police officer within the Criminal Investigation Agency, was the Secretary of Security for Mexico City, and now serves as the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection," Cole noted.

He further emphasized that Secretary García Harfuch understands the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and recognizes the importance of sharing intelligence, targeting criminal leaders, disrupting supply chains, and dismantling networks from the top down; he also understands the personal risk involved, having survived an assassination attempt in 2020.

Image: Gobierno de México