The security tensions between Mexico and the United States marking the second Trump era appear to stem from Mexico’s failings, according to the logic of the rarely self-reflective northern neighbor. Fentanyl and migration are a problem, but arms trafficking is not. The U.S. sends around 200,000 weapons to Mexico each year, according to analysts’ estimates, a figure that demonstrates the lack of interest in combating illegal arms sales, much of which are destined for the drug cartels that have been classified as terrorist organizations by the Republican president himself.

The main arms trafficking routes identified by the Mexican government between November 2024 and May 2025 originate in the states of Arizona, California, and Texas, according to a report presented to Congress by the Ministry of Citizen Security. At least 74% of illicit weapons reach organized crime groups through these routes. These data are consistent with those of the U.S. Department of Justice, which, in its latest report on the subject, revealed the same points of origin and predominance, with one addition: New Mexico. A smaller budget north of the Rio Grande and greater laxity in security operations point to one conclusion, experts say: combating arms trafficking is not on the U.S. government’s agenda.

The knowledge that both administrations have regarding the illicit trafficking of weapons raises many questions. How many agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been deployed to the detected locations? How many inspection operations are U.S. authorities conducting? What are the seizure figures at these locations? What is the Mexican Security Cabinet’s strategy to combat this crime?

“When the United States tells Mexico that we have to do more against the cartels, the argument should be: we’ve been saying for five years that the weapons are coming from Texas, and we haven’t seen any beefing up of enforcement actions; there isn’t a bigger presence, or more checkpoints,” says Alejandro Celorio, the official who coordinated Mexico’s legal strategy to bring a dozen U.S. weapons manufacturers and distributors to trial. The lawyer hits the nail on the head. Information about the trafficking routes allows Mexico to support its narrative regarding the U.S. government’s failure to curb arms smuggling, and also to devise a strategy, but nothing more. Washington has the power to implement measures to prevent the passage of weapons into Mexican territory. The manufacturers, Celorio says, are protected by U.S. laws, which prohibit the use of information about the routes taken by illicit weapons in a lawsuit.

The U.S. Department of Justice revealed in its January report that from 2022 to 2023, trace data identified Arizona, California, and Texas as the distribution sources for 73% of the weapons recovered in Mexico that could be traced back to a buyer. The figures coincide with those of the report that the Ministry of Citizen Security submitted to the Mexican Congress on July 3, the result of information exchange between the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR). The Mexican report also revealed the seizure of 5,869 firearms, 31,000 magazines, more than 1.2 million rounds of ammunition, and 289 grenades.

The numbers remain unchanged. Since January, the Department of Justice has identified Texas as the main entry point for illegal weapons, accounting for 43% of the total, followed by Arizona, with 22% — exactly the same figure cited in the Mexican report covering a six-month period from November to May. Receiving states are no different. According to the U.S. report, 82% of the weapons seized between 2022 and 2023 were located in states where the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have a presence; organizations Trump has classified as terrorists. Baja California, Chihuahua, the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas are the most frequent destinations for the weaponry. “The U.S. government knows perfectly well [where the weapons come from] but doesn’t accept it,” says Celorio. The expert maintains that the information serves to keep the problem alive and, eventually, to inform other potential legal proceedings that Mexico may bring against the U.S. arms industry.

John Lindsay Poland, coordinator of the Stop US Arms to Mexico project, agrees: the location of arms trafficking routes reinforces Washington’s responsibility and negligence. “Fighting arms trafficking is not on their agenda,” says the activist. The decisions of Mexico’s main trading partner seem to have a deeper root. “If [Donald Trump] really wants to eliminate the cartels, he should focus on the flow of arms, and he’s doing the opposite,” Poland argues. The researcher elaborates: “[Trump] is reducing the U.S.’s ability to stop illicit arms trafficking reaching the cartels.” The Republican magnate has outlined a plan to cut the ATF’s budget. This includes simplifying background checks for gun purchases and making them more flexible. The U.S. president intends to eliminate approximately 540 inspectors from the agency — two-thirds of the total — and reduce the ATF’s budget by 25%. The plan includes revising a handful of regulations and destroying records of firearm owners that have been held for more than 20 years.

Traceability information is scarce, but its presentation is a success, experts agree. The issue should remain alive because it confirms the origin of the weapons and contributes to a potential legal argument that could make it difficult for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of the gun manufacturers. All in all, the scenario is bleak. Celorio rules out a legal challenge from Mexico via Texas. “I don’t think the Mexican government will sue in Texas; it’s a very conservative state,” he notes.

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A BRITISH man sustained serious life-threatening injuries after falling seven metres from a supermarket parking lot in Ibiza on Monday evening.

The accident happened at around 8.15pm.

The 25-year-old Brit was in the parking area of the Mercadona store on Calle Johann Sebastian Bach in Sant Antoni.

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No reason has been given for what happened and the Guardia Civil are carrying out an investigation.

Two ambulances attended the scene along with the Policia Local.

The man was admitted to the ICU of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Polyclinic in Ibiza.

His condition was described as ‘very serious’ after he sustained multiple injuries including a skull fracture.

It’s not been confirmed whether the Brit was a tourist or was with anybody else when he fell.

Click here to read more Ibiza News from The Olive Press.

THOSE longing for a new canine companion could soon find themselves forced to take a four-hour online course before they can bring the pet home.

A new draft decree proposes making wannabe pet owners sit through classes – thankfully free – which covers everything from choosing the right breed to dealing with older dogs.

If you pass the test at the end, and you’ll receive a certificate that’s valid for life across Spain – but fail, and you’ll be barking up the wrong tree.

READ MORE: Spain’s growing army of only children ‘not lonelier’ despite birth rate crisis, study shows

But that’s not all – new owners will also need to splash out on civil liability insurance worth at least €100,000 (rising to €120,000 for ‘potentially dangerous’ breeds). 

This insurance must be arranged within 48 hours of registering the animal and will cover any damage caused to third parties.

The decree also mandates annual vet check-ups for all dogs, cats and ferrets, along with mandatory vaccinations. 

READ MORE: One firefighter dies as blaze rips through over 3,000 hectares in Spain’s Catalunya

For breeding males, vets must verify their suitability.

Additional measures target irresponsible breeding practices, with only animals listed as ‘breeding animals’ in regional pet registers permitted to reproduce. 

The proposals also introduce categories for conventional, specialised and occasional breeders to better regulate the industry.

Local authorities will gain new powers to intervene in cases of suspected abandonment, potentially removing animals from neglectful owners whilst abandonment procedures are processed.

The proposals, issued by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, are currently in public consultation until July 16. 

Vets and registered animal professionals are exempt from the course requirement.

It seems even man’s best friend comes with homework these days.

Click here to read more Other News from The Olive Press.