Political tensions in Mexico have reached a fever pitch as debates over U.S. military involvement, cartel violence, and sweeping judicial reforms collide in a dramatic and often chaotic national moment. With U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to arrive in Mexico next week to negotiate a major binational security deal, the stakes for both nations have rarely been higher—or more contentious. The visit, scheduled for September 2-4, 2025, follows a series of high-profile confrontations, both diplomatic and physical, that underscore the deep divisions and anxieties gripping Mexico’s political landscape.
Rubio’s trip, as reported by Border Report, is the latest in a string of efforts by the U.S. to press its southern neighbor for “swift and decisive actions to dismantle cartels, halt fentanyl trafficking, and end illegal immigration.” The Secretary of State’s office has made it clear that the administration is committed to “protecting U.S. borders, neutralizing narco-terrorist threats, and fostering a broader sharing of the burden in the hemisphere.” This marks Rubio’s fourth visit to Latin America, signaling the urgency—and the complexity—of the security crisis now facing both countries.
But even before Rubio’s plane touches down, the debate over how far the U.S. should go in helping Mexico fight organized crime has already erupted into open conflict—both figuratively and literally. On August 27, Mexico’s Congress descended into chaos when Alejandro “Alito” Moreno, leader of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), physically attacked Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña at the close of a heated session. The session had been dominated by arguments over whether U.S. troops should be allowed on Mexican soil, a prospect that has long been anathema to many in Mexico due to the country’s painful history of foreign intervention.
In a video widely circulated on social media, Moreno can be seen shouting at and pulling on Noroña, escalating into punches and a scuffle that left a cameraman on the floor and other legislators rushing to intervene. “He hit me on the arms and said: ‘I’m going to beat the shit out of you, I’m going to kill you,’” Noroña told reporters after the incident, as cited by El Universal. Moreno, for his part, claimed that Noroña had initiated the aggression, insisting to the press, “Let it be clear: the first physical aggression came from Noroña.”
The violence in Congress was more than just a personal spat; it was a symptom of the wider political rifts in the country. The session that sparked the melee was convened by the Permanent Commission, representing the entire Congress during recess, to debate the possibility of U.S. military presence in Mexico. The proposal, supported by some members of the PRI and the National Action Party (PAN), drew fierce opposition from the ruling Morena party and President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has consistently rejected any suggestion of U.S. troops entering Mexico.
Senator Lilly Téllez of PAN, who had recently advocated for U.S. “assistance” on Fox News, doubled down during the session, accusing Morena of “defending drug cartels” by opposing foreign military intervention. Her remarks were swiftly denounced by officials and much of the public as “traitorous.” Yet, several opposition senators echoed her call for greater U.S. involvement, albeit with caveats. Both PRI and PAN leaders insisted they were not advocating for an outright invasion, but rather for “cooperation”—such as U.S. training of Mexican forces and limited support from American soldiers.
Still, the specter of U.S. boots on the ground remains deeply controversial. President Sheinbaum, responding to mounting pressure from both the Trump administration and her own opposition, has repeatedly stated, “We will never sign something that from our perspective violates our sovereignty or our territory. Never. They might have the intent to do it, but we said no, not under that scheme.” She reiterated at a recent press conference, “There will be no invasion. It’s off the table, absolutely off the table.” The Mexican Foreign Ministry echoed this stance, emphasizing that any bilateral relationship must be based on “shared responsibility, mutual trust, full respect of our sovereignty and cooperation without subordination.”
Despite these assurances, evidence of collaboration between the two countries continues to surface. Earlier this month, the Mexican government confirmed it had requested the use of a U.S. government drone in a criminal investigation in central Mexico. Sheinbaum has also authorized the use of U.S. spy drones near Sinaloa cartel strongholds and Mexico City, and allowed U.S. Green Berets to train Mexican marine special forces in Chiapas. These moves, while stopping short of a full military presence, highlight the delicate balance she must maintain: increasing cooperation with Washington without appearing to cede Mexican sovereignty.
The debate over U.S. intervention has been further inflamed by recent comments from U.S. officials. On August 29, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz called on Mexico to adopt a crackdown on drug cartels similar to El Salvador’s controversial approach, which has seen President Nayib Bukele suspend constitutional rights and imprison more than 1% of his country’s population. “My message to the government of Mexico is accept our offer as a friend,” Cruz said at a news conference in Mexico City, as reported by the Associated Press. He implied that the U.S. might take unilateral action if Mexico declines cooperation—a suggestion that has only heightened Mexican sensitivities over sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the political fallout from the congressional brawl continues to reverberate. In the aftermath of the altercation, Senate President Noroña announced plans for an extraordinary session to propose the expulsion of Moreno and other PRI leaders involved in the violence. Twenty-three state governors from the ruling coalition issued a joint statement condemning Moreno’s actions, declaring, “We, the governors of the Fourth Transformation, firmly condemn the physical and verbal aggression committed by Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas.” The opposition, already reeling from its failure to block the Morena party’s historic Judicial Reform, now finds itself increasingly isolated as the country prepares for the swearing-in of 2,681 new judges—including a Supreme Court bench with a majority of women—on September 1.
All of this unfolds against a backdrop of relentless cartel violence. Mexico suffered more than 30,000 violent homicides last year, most attributed to organized crime. Despite aggressive efforts by Sheinbaum’s administration—including extraditing dozens of cartel leaders to the U.S. and cooperating on border security—the bloodshed continues, fueling calls from some quarters for even more drastic action.
As Secretary Rubio’s visit approaches, the path forward for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation remains fraught with uncertainty. Both sides agree on the need to combat drug cartels and stem the flow of fentanyl, but the means to achieve these goals are fiercely contested. For now, Mexico’s leaders are standing firm on sovereignty, even as they navigate the growing demands—and sometimes the outright threats—emanating from Washington. The coming days will reveal whether this fragile balance can hold, or whether the political and security crises now gripping Mexico will push the country into even deeper turmoil.
