The Secretary of Defense, Ricardo Trevilla, revealed that nearly half of the high-power cartridges confiscated in Mexico come from a factory operated by a U.S. contractor that supplies the Pentagon.
In a recent statement, Mexican Secretary of Defense Ricardo Trevilla highlighted a concerning trend regarding illegal firearms in Mexico. He indicated that a significant portion of these weapons is sourced from the United States, a fact acknowledged by both governments. Specifically, he noted that nearly half of the high-caliber cartridges recently seized in Mexico originate from a factory owned by the U.S. government and operated by a private contractor that supplies the Pentagon. This revelation sheds light on the international dimensions of arms trafficking affecting Mexico.
The focus of the Secretary's comments was on .50 caliber cartridges utilized in machine guns and long-range rifles. Since 2012, Mexican authorities have confiscated approximately 137,000 of these high-caliber cartridges, with around 47% traced back to this particular manufacturer. While the military official did not name the contractor, he referenced reports, including one from The New York Times, that suggested the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri might be involved. This situation raises alarms regarding the flow of arms from the U.S. to Mexico and the implications for both countries' security.
The issue of illegal arms trafficking is a pervasive challenge for Mexico, contributing to the country's ongoing struggles with organized crime and violence. This new information adds another layer to the complex relationship between the two nations as they navigate border security and crime prevention strategies. Addressing the source of these high-powered weapons will likely be a critical point of discussion in future U.S.-Mexico security dialogues.
