A collaborative effort between the Mexican Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard led to the successful interception of numerous tons of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean on November 11, 2023. The cocaine was found in 188 bales onboard a vessel operating off the coast of Mexico, specifically west of Clarion Island, approximately 1,000 kilometers from the port of Manzanillo. This operation reflects ongoing international drug interdiction efforts amid rising tensions between Mexico and the United States.

The operation comes at a time when diplomatic relations between Mexico and the U.S. have been strained, particularly with former President Donald Trump's threatening rhetoric regarding military intervention against Mexican drug cartels. Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, has consistently pushed back against any form of intervention from the Trump administration, asserting their country's sovereignty and independence in handling these issues. The conflict has been exacerbated by recent U.S. military actions in the region, including an operation in Venezuela aimed at capturing dictator Nicolás Maduro.

The Mexican Navy emphasized that this joint operation was conducted under the framework of bilateral cooperation and occurred outside of Mexican territorial waters. This highlights a strategic approach to combating drug trafficking while navigating the complexities of international relations and national sovereignty. The successful seizure of the narcotics can be seen as a significant achievement in collaborative law enforcement efforts, closing ranks against transnational crime, although the underlying tensions with U.S. politics add a complicated layer to the ongoing fight against drug cartels in Mexico.