The theater of continental security
Mexico’s top military leaders, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo and Admiral Raymundo Morales Ángeles, took the main stage in Washington. Their mission: to represent the country at the Conference of Chiefs of Defense of the Western Hemisphere, a forum where the script for our regional security is negotiated.
What did they talk about behind the scenes?
The official narrative is clear. It was reaffirmed that the National Public Security Strategy 2024-2030 and coordination with the United States Northern Command are producing results. The script says that this has allowed us to reduce the flow of narcotics north and high-impact crimes in our border states.
In a joint statement, the Secretariats of Defense and Navy indicated that the US Secretary of War, Peter Brian Hegseth, participated in the event.
But here is the real act. This was not a two-voice dialogue, but a work with 35 nations as a cast. Ministers and defense chiefs from across the hemisphere sought to refine a common argument: how to confront the threats that destabilize our region.
The final script: cooperation, but with conditions
The Mexican agencies left the forum ratifying their commitment to international cooperation. However, it was not a blank check. The agreement is based on very specific and carefully chosen principles.
Under the principles of reciprocity, shared and differentiated responsibility, mutual trust, respect for decisions and sovereign territories.
Those are not decorative words. They are negotiated red lines. ‘Respect for sovereign territories’ is a dialogue addressed to any external actor. ‘Differentiated responsibility’ recognizes that Mexico will not bear the weight of continental problems alone.
The production was led by General John Daniel Caine, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. The stage was set for a message of unity in front of cameras.
The question that remains floating in the air backstage is simple: will this diplomatic consensus translate into concrete actions that improve the daily security of citizens? Because in the end, that is the only review that matters.
