Mexico's Sheinbaum Hits Back at France's Le Pen Over 'Mexicanization' Remarks

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's remarks that she would prevent the "Mexicanization" of France due to drug cartels, Anadolu Agency reported.

Sheinbaum said Le Pen was misinformed, suggesting that Mexico's values of honesty, love, solidarity, and fraternity were needed worldwide.

Le Pen, a far-right National Rally party figure, launched her campaign with a strong security message, classifying Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) reported that Latin American criminal groups, particularly Colombian, Brazilian, and Ecuadorian organizations, had increased their presence in the EU, especially in drug trafficking.

However, Mexican cartels like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and Sinaloa Cartel have been operating in France, with the latter linked to a dismantled methamphetamine laboratory.

The term "Mexicanization" has been used by French politicians to describe violence in France, sparking indignation among Mexican officials.

The Mexican Embassy in France criticized the term, saying it stigmatized Mexico, revictimized Mexican families affected by violence, and undermined cooperation to combat drug trafficking.

Background

France and Mexico have been cooperating to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, with both countries recognizing the need for a strong international response to the issue.

The use of the term "Mexicanization" by French politicians has been seen as a reflection of the complex and often tense relationship between the two countries on issues related to security and crime.