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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has used exemptions to maintain the program in Mexico, linked to border security and anti-fentanyl efforts amid a freeze on federal funds.
A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital on Friday that Rubio is giving an exemption from an overall suspension of control over federal funds for efforts under the International Drugs and Law Enforcement Issues (INL) program.
The INL program provides assistance to border security agencies in other countries that could pose a threat to the United States if drug production, organized crime and terrorist activities are permitted to flourish.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold a joint press conference with Dominican Republic President Louis Abinader at the National Palace of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
“The INL program aims to reduce the invasion of illegal drugs into the United States and minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens,” the Customs and Border Protection website states. Masu. That includes programs that target fentanyl smuggling. Illegal fentanyl can be fatal at small doses, but is usually made in Mexico using Chinese precursors, and then smuggle the US-Mexico land border. Fentanyl overdose kills tens of thousands of Americans every year.
Rubio recently completed a tour of Latin America and secured a lot of commitment from foreign governments regarding border security. Officials said INL Programming has returned online in these countries since its trip.
Reuters reported Thursday that INL programming in Mexico has been suspended, including a program that trains Mexican authorities to find and destroy fentanyl labs and stop precursor chemicals entering Mexico. However, State Department officials fought over telling Fox News Digital that Mexican programming was already exempt. Specifically, there was Mexico’s previously approved $5.2 million waiver and a pending resubmission of an additional $2.5 million.
They said these exemptions include funding to Mexican law enforcement agencies that helped extradite cross-border criminal organization members to the US, which exported fentanyl and smuggled migrants to the US. Ta. A member of the cartel.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will speak at a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico on January 8, 2025. Reuters/Henry Romero (Reuters)
Officials said no announcements of these exemptions have continued to occur as Rubio hopes to secure additional commitments from Mexico on border security.
“With a new US administration in office, the Mexican side needs to increase its commitment to ensure that it is serious when it comes to stopping the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs,” the authorities said. The person said.
Officials want to show that the US is a trusted partner, but other programs have been reviewed, saying, “I don’t want to turn them on yet until my Mexican counterparts know they’re going.” , said there were several exemptions. I promise a variety of actions in return.”
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One area the US hopes for further action is former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who previously said the US refused to participate in a US program to train and equip Mexican police. This is the refusal to support INL. The new Sinbaum administration is currently approving some of its support, officials say, but has not approved the rest or eliminated the approval system that will cause blockages. Officials believe Rubio’s visit confirms Mexico’s commitment and announces more INL funding reopening will continue.
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The push comes amid the Trump administration and the State Department’s focus on immigration. The administration has secured many border-related commitments from Mexico and Canada, and is committed to accepting immigrants returning from Venezuela and Colombia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering mainly immigration and border security.
He can be contacted at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.
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