The PARTNERS Act establishes a pilot program for joint training between the U.S. and Mexican Armed Forces focused on countering transnational criminal organizations.
John Cornyn
Senator
TX
The PARTNERS Act establishes a pilot program for joint training between the U.S. and Mexican Armed Forces focused on countering transnational criminal organizations. This initiative will involve the Mexican military training in the United States on tactics like rotary-wing operations, network analysis, and counter-illicit trafficking. The Secretary of Defense is required to submit a detailed plan for this cooperative security effort to Congress.
PARTNERS Act Mandates Joint US-Mexico Military Training to Counter Cartels: Plan Due in 180 Days
The newly introduced PARTNERS Act is essentially a roadmap for deeper military cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico aimed squarely at transnational criminal organizations (TCOs)—think drug cartels and organized crime groups. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Defense, in partnership with the Secretary of State and, crucially, with agreement from the Mexican government, draw up a plan for a joint military pilot program.
The Training Ground: What the Plan Requires
Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, the Pentagon must submit this plan to Congress. The core of the program involves U.S. and Mexican Armed Forces training together on U.S. soil. This isn't just basic training; it’s highly specialized work focused on taking down TCOs. The bill specifically requires training in advanced tactics like operations using rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters), which are essential for rapid deployment and interdiction in difficult terrain, and consultation with civilian agencies on sophisticated counter-crime methods.
Breaking Down the Counter-Crime Focus
If you’re wondering what 'countering TCOs' actually looks like, the bill spells out three key areas: joint network analysis, counter threat financing, and counter illicit trafficking. This means the training isn't just about catching people; it’s about disrupting the entire business model. For example, the counter threat financing component aims to teach Mexican forces how to follow the money—a critical skill for dismantling cartels that operate like multinational corporations. This focus on the financial side and logistics (illicit trafficking) suggests a more strategic approach than simple enforcement.
The Real-World Impact and Implementation Challenges
This bill formalizes a significant step up in cross-border security cooperation. For the average person, stronger capacity in Mexico to fight organized crime could eventually translate into fewer illicit drugs crossing the border and potentially less instability in border regions. However, the bill’s success hinges entirely on the agreement from the Government of Mexico. If the plan isn't mutually acceptable, the whole program stalls. While the bill aims to build capacity, the term 'countering the threat' is broad, and any military involvement in what are often law enforcement issues needs strict oversight to avoid unintended consequences, especially regarding human rights and sovereignty. The Secretary of Defense has only 15 days after submitting the plan to Congress to start implementing the program, showing the urgency behind getting this joint effort off the ground.