New Act Mandates U.S. Strategy to Fight Fentanyl with Local Mexican Governments; Orders Review of Caribbean Banking Access

The American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act is essentially a two-part foreign policy initiative aimed at tackling two distinct international challenges: fentanyl trafficking from Mexico and access to financial services in the Caribbean. The bill mandates the Secretary of State, working with USAID, to develop a detailed strategy within 270 days focused on improving cooperation with local and state governments in Mexico to stop the flow of synthetic opioids like fentanyl across the border (Sec. 2).

The Fentanyl Fight: From Federal to Local

This isn't just about high-level talks; the bill pushes the U.S. government to get granular. The required strategy must lay out how the U.S. will provide technical help, coordinate law enforcement efforts, and set up professional development exchanges with Mexican state and local security forces. For the busy person, this means the U.S. is trying to improve security and drug interdiction efforts right where the problem originates, potentially leading to fewer drugs making it to U.S. streets and communities. The strategy also includes a crucial community element: it must outline how the U.S. will help build the capacity of local Mexican governments, community groups, and businesses to deal with the impacts of trafficking in their own towns (Sec. 2).

One detail to watch is the data sharing provision. The U.S. can’t start sharing data with foreign countries as part of this strategy until the Secretary of State notifies Congress about exactly what data is going to be shared (Sec. 2). While this notification provides necessary oversight, the authority granted to the Secretary to determine what data is “appropriate” to share is broad, giving the executive branch significant discretion in coordinating intelligence and law enforcement operations across the border.

Boosting Banking Access in the Caribbean

The second major section of the bill pivots entirely to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a review focused on boosting access to financial services for CARICOM member states (Sec. 3). This is a big deal because many Caribbean nations struggle with "de-risking," where large international banks cut off correspondent banking relationships due to fears of money laundering or regulatory complexity. This makes it harder for everyone—from small businesses importing goods to families sending remittances—to move money.

The review will look at how international compliance rules are being enforced, examine reporting rules related to illegal money movement, and even consider whether the U.S. should open more embassies or consulates in the region. For U.S. businesses that operate in the Caribbean or rely on trade there, this review could be the first step toward simplifying financial transactions and lowering costs associated with banking across borders. Ultimately, the goal is to find ways to increase capital access for people and businesses in the region, which could stabilize the economies of our neighbors and make trade easier for everyone.

Both the fentanyl strategy and the CARICOM review require detailed reports to Congress, ensuring that lawmakers get a chance to see how these plans are developing and hold the agencies accountable for their execution (Sec. 2, Sec. 3). This bill sets the stage for two major collaborative efforts, focusing on security on our southern border and economic stability in the Caribbean.