The Mexican Senate has approved the entry of 19 US Navy SEAL members into the country for a specialized training mission despite opposition criticism regarding the lack of legislative consultation for previous foreign military operations.
The Mexican Senate has granted permission for 19 members of the US Navy SEAL Team 2 to enter Mexico from February 15 to 16, 2023, to conduct specialized training with the Mexican Navy's Special Operations Unit. The approval was met with dissent from opposition lawmakers who protested that the Senate had previously not been consulted regarding the entry of a US aircraft in January, raising concerns over national sovereignty.
Senators voted 105 in favor with one abstention, when Gerardo Fernández Noroña from the ruling party, Morena, expressed his disapproval. He argued against allowing foreign military personnel into Mexico, highlighting that the United States conducts military actions not only against Venezuela but also against other nations. The Senate's decision reflects a complex interplay between international cooperation and domestic policy concerns, particularly around the influence of foreign military operations.
The visit aims to enhance Mexico's Special Operations Forces capabilities at the Marine Infantry Training and Specialized Training Center located in San Luis Carpizo, Campeche. This cooperation indicates ongoing collaboration between the US and Mexico in military training but raises questions about the extent of foreign military presence on Mexican soil and the implications for national security and autonomy.
