Sens. Cruz, Daines Introduce Bill on Potential Violations by Mexico of Treaty for Law Enforcement, Combatting Drug Trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) this week introduced the Transparency to Rehabilitate United States Treaties with Mexico Act of 2021 (TRUST With Mexico Act), a bill that would require the Secretary of State to provide to Congress a report describing actions taken by the Mexican government that violate the U.S.-Mexico Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance, the responsible parties, and effects those actions had on counternarcotics cooperation and U.S. national security. Additionally, the report is to include a description of assets of General Salvador Cienfuegos, who was arrested in October 2020 in Los Angeles by U.S. authorities and indicted for corruption charges linked to his support of the H-2 Cartel - but ultimately released by Mexican authorities.

Upon introduction of the TRUST With Mexico Act, Sen. Cruz said:

"I am deeply concerned by the direction of the U.S.-Mexican relationship. The release of General Salvador Cienfuegos who was credibly accused of managing the ultra-violent H-2 Cartel, and the circumstances surrounding that release, including the public disclosure by Mexican authorities of US intelligence, risks setting back decades of work and cooperation. The TRUST With Mexico Act will begin restoring transparency and confidence, which are necessary to reverse these trends."

Sen. Daines added:

"Mexican meth coming across the southern border is flowing into Montana and devastating our communities and families. Recent actions taken by the Mexican government have undermined the working relationship between our two countries with respect to law enforcement. We must hold Mexico accountable and ensure they are doing what they can to help put an end to this crisis."

Read the text of their bill here.

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