Category: Mexico

Victor Davis Hanson: ‘Tough Love’ For Mexico’s President Meddling in U.S. Politics

Under President Donald Trump, illegal immigration has hit record lows, and deportations are being executed at a stead pace thanks to ICE. However, Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum has already pledged to offer legal help to illegal immigrants detained by ICE, criticized the U.S. for taxing remittances, and warned America not to touch cartel activity on Mexican soil. Victor Davis Hanson breaks down how Mexico's trade practices, cartel complicity, and remittance dependence are fueling an asymmetrical relationship that benefits Mexico at America’s expense on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ Ms.  Sheinbaum, why don't you do the following? Why don't you say that Mexican nationals are your citizens? They're key to your economic growth. You don't want them to leave your country. You have a new revisionist reform plan that you're going to offer them social services so that they don't flee to the United States. You're going to keep your own people in your own country. “ The problem with Mexican-American relationships, as those polls reveal, is on your side. Don't run up surpluses by mercantile dealings with an existential enemy of the United States, China. Do not count on American taxpayers to subsidize your own citizens who entered illegally to send back 63 billion to your failing economy. And do not lecture us about the cartels—what we should and should not do about it—when you are enabling them to kill 70,000 Americans as a source of foreign exchange inside Mexico.”

Victor Davis Hanson: Canada and Mexico Want U.S. Billions—But Also a Fight

Last night, Canada rescinded its digital services tax, a 3% levy on all goods and services produced by both domestic and foreign tech companies, like Amazon and Google, following threats from President Donald Trump that the United States would “terminate ALL discussions on Trade with Canada,” according to CNBC.    With the U.S.' northern neighbor at bay, for now, Americans should turn their attention to the south, where Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum continues to criticize proposed remittance taxes while defending illegal immigration and even weighing in on U.S. civil unrest. Why the hostility?   On today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson asks the question: Why are our supposed “partners” adding fuel to the fire at a time of instability?   “  This is the killer. They're going to enforce the law all the way back to 2022. … There's $9 trillion of market capitalization in Silicon Valley. But the idea that they're going to be gouged for $2 or $3 billion right in the middle of these heated discussions.   “ They are playing with fire. I have a solution. Maybe we could take Mexico and put it next to Canada and let them fight it out with each other. And keep us out of it.”

Mexican Navy Ship Collides With Brooklyn Bridge, Killing 2 And Injuring Over A Dozen More

Emergency personnel respond after the Mexican Navy's tall ship Cuauhtemoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on May 17, 2025. The ship, which had been docked as part of a goodwill tour, struck the underside of the bridge while departing, injuring dozens. Rescue operations were launched as crew members evacuated and emergency boats arrived on scene. (Photo by Madison Swart / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by MADISON SWART/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Emergency personnel respond after the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtemoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on May 17, 2025. (Photo by MADISON SWART/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Blake Wolf
8:54 AM – Sunday, May 18, 2025

A Mexican naval training ship has rammed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday, killing two individuals on board and injuring over a dozen others.

The Mexican ship, known as the “Cuauhtémoc” was reportedly on a goodwill tour, holding 277 individuals on board as it struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Viral video footage shows the ship slamming into the underside of the bridge, ripping the masts of the ship down as it proceeded to pass underneath.

As the ship crashed into the bridge, multiple individuals on the top rung of the mast were seen violently swinging.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a social media post following the incident, issuing her condolences for the lost crew members.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship, who lost their lives in an unfortunate accident in New York Harbor. Our sympathy and support go out to their families. The Navy, with the support of local authorities, is currently treating the wounded. The Mexican ambassador to the United States and staff from the Mexican Consulate General in New York are supporting the Navy,” she wrote on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D-N.Y.) attributed the crash to a loss of power.

“Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” he wrote in an X post.

“We are praying for everyone on board and their families and are grateful to our first responders who quickly jumped into action, ensuring this accident wasn’t much worse. Following our preliminary inspection, we can confirm that the bridge sustained no damage and is now open to the public,” Adams added.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Coast Guard provided an update on Sunday morning, stating that 21 people were injured in the incident.

Prior to the crash, the ship was docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan, right near the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship was reportedly supposed to sail out of the New York Harbor and head to Iceland before drifting in the wrong direction, according to a spokesman for the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be conducting a full investigation of the fatal crash.

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"How Did This Ship Crash Into Brooklyn Bridge?" Cuauhtémoc’

Police: 2 Mexican Nationals Arrested After Being Accused Of Molesting Minor In Cruise Sauna, Now ‘On Immigration Holds’

R| Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal L| Jose Prudencio Diaz (Photos via: Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office)
(L) Jose Diaz. / (R) Ricardo Leal. (Photos via: Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
6:05 PM – Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Two Mexican nationals, who are now on immigration holds, were arrested after being accused of molesting a 14-year-old boy in a sauna while on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

An immigration hold, also known as an ICE detainer, is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to local law enforcement agencies to hold an individual in custody for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release, allowing ICE to take custody for potential deportation proceedings.

According to jail records, both men have now been jailed without bond and are on immigration holds.

On Friday, two Mexican nationals, Jose Prudencio Diaz, 36, and Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, were arrested.

They now face several charges, including lewd and lascivious molestation on a child 12-16 years old. One of the men is also facing an additional charge of sexual battery, while the other faces an additional charge for not revealing his HIV status to the minor.

According to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the crimes occurred on Thursday, March 20th.

The 14-year-old victim informed detectives that he was aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Independence of the Seas” and he was present in the sauna area alongside Diaz and Leal.

The victim explained to police that while he was in the sauna room with the two men, both suspects proceeded to pleasure themselves in front of him — according to the report.

The report goes on to detail how Diaz and Leal then began touching the victim while using certain fear tactics to force him to touch them back. Leal then purportedly forced the victim to perform a sex act on him while molesting the minor — according to the complaint.

The arrest report also noted that Leal performed oral sex on the victim as well.

“The defendant in this case, acting in concert with another defendant, they were both on a cruise,” a prosecutor said in court. “This shows that they tried to target a specific minority, and this could be done again.”

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Mexico Threatens Legal Action Against Google Over ‘Gulf Of America’ Modification On Maps

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum listens to a question during her daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on November 6, 2024. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that Donald Trump's election victory was "no cause for concern" for her country, despite his threats of tariffs and mass migrant deportations. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum listens to a question during her daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on November 6, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
3:52 PM – Monday, February 17, 2025

Mexico’s first female president has warned that if Google does not restore the label “Gulf of Mexico,” the former designation of the oceanic basin and marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, to its popular Google Maps service — then the country will file a lawsuit against them.

On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum asserted that the country will take legal action against Google if it continues to show U.S.-based users the “Gulf of America” designation across the entire body of water. 

Sheinbaum continued, arguing that President Donald Trump’s order only applies to the part of the continental shelf under U.S. control.

“What Google is doing here is changing the name of the continental shelf of Mexico and Cuba, which has nothing to do with Trump’s decree, which applied only to the US continental shelf,” Sheinbaum told reporters. “We do not agree with this, and the Foreign Minister has sent a new letter addressing the issue.”

Sheinbaum called the renaming “incorrect,” noting that Trump’s order “only changed the name within his own continental shelf, which extends 22 nautical miles from the U.S. coast—not the entire Gulf.”

The Mexican president read out a response from Google to a letter sent by Mexico to the company in January, contesting the decision to rename the gulf.

“As we first announced two weeks ago, and consistent with our product policies, we’ve begun rolling out changes to Google Maps. We would like to confirm that people using Maps in Mexico will continue to see ‘Gulf of Mexico,’” the letter from Google reiterated.

“People in the US will see ‘Gulf of America’. Everyone else will see both names,” the letter noted.

Sheinbaum also maintained that Mexico would be sending another letter to Google, stating that “any reference to the ‘Gulf of America’ initiative on your Google Maps platform must be strictly limited to the marine area under U.S. jurisdiction.”

“Any extension beyond that zone exceeds the authority of any national government or private entity. Should that be the case, the Government of Mexico will take the appropriate legal actions as deemed necessary,” it added.

Google changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for Google Maps users in the United States this week, citing “a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” 

Sheinbaum concluded that her country will be waiting for a response from the company before proceeding with legal action. 

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Mexico And U.S. Reach Agreement To Suspend Tariffs For A Month And Deploy 10K Troops To The Border

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on February 3, 2025. Sheinbaum said February 3, the US has agreed to pause the start of tariffs on Mexican goods for one month, after talks with her counterpart Donald Trump. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP) (Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on February 3, 2025. Sheinbaum said February 3, the US has agreed to pause the start of tariffs on Mexican goods for one month, after talks with her counterpart Donald Trump. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff James Meyers
11:05 AM – Monday, February 3, 2025

President Donald Trump and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that they have agreed to a one-month pause on the imposition of a 25% across-the-board tariff by the U.S. in exchange for concessions on border security by Mexico. During this time, a broader deal will be negotiated. 

As part of the temporary pause, Sheinbaum agreed to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border with 10,000 personnel from her country’s National Guard to help cut down on fentanyl dissemination and illegal immigration into the U.S., per statements from both presidents. 

The U.S. also agreed to increase efforts to prevent the trafficking of weapons, according to the Mexican president, who had a call with Trump earlier in the day on Monday. 

“I  just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “We will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level representatives from Mexico.”

“I look forward to participating in those negotiations with President Sheinbaum as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries.”

The move comes after Trump ordered a 25% levy on Mexican imports after accusing the neighboring country of failing to meet his demands of addressing the fentanyl and migration situations. 

The tariff was set to come in addition to existing tariffs the U.S. has in effect against Mexico, which had been preparing retaliatory measures. 

Meanwhile, Mexico is currently the U.S.’s largest trading partner, with close to 80% of its exports flowing north. Just 165 of U.S. exports go to Mexico, with almost $775 billion worth of goods being traded between the two nations last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

“We had a good conversation with President Trump, with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty; we reached a series of agreements,” Sheinbaum said in a statement on X, per a translation.

“Our teams will begin working today on two fronts: security and trade,” she added. “They are pausing tariffs for one month from now.”

Additionally, Trump had also ordered a 25% tariff on Canada for fentanyl and the migrant crises and a 10% across-the-board tariff on China. 

However, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled new 25% tariffs on over $106 billion in U.S. goods. 

Canada, China and Mexico are America’s three largest trading partners, totaling almost $1.4 trillion worth of U.S. imports annually. 

In the near future, the Tax Foundation projects that if all three tariffs went into effect that the average U.S. household would see a tax hike of about $830. 

“This will be the golden age of America! Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid,” Trump acknowledged on Truth Social Sunday.

The president also hinted at hitting European countries with tariffs over the weekend. 

“The UK, but [the] European Union is really out of line,” Trump told reporters on Sunday night. “UK is out of line but I’m sure that one, I think that one can be worked out. But the European Union, it’s an atrocity what they’ve done.”

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11,000 Rounds of 7.62×39 Seized at Mexican Border

Ammoland Inc. Posted on  by 
SEE: https://www.ammoland.com/2024/11/11000-rounds-of-7-62x39-seized-at-mexican-border; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:
11,100 rounds of 7.62×39 ammunition seized by CBP agents in El Paso on November 5, 2024. Image from CBP

A Mexican man was arrested trying to smuggle 11,100 rounds of 7.62×39 into the United States from Mexico.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the El Paso port of entry stopped a 2011 Honda Ridgeline driven by a 32-year-old Mexican national as it crossed the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) international crossing. At the primary screening checkpoint, CBP officers decided to direct the Honda Ridgeline to a secondary screening station, where officers ran the SUV through a low-energy portal scan. It identified possible anomalies hidden in the Mexican vehicle. Last year, the machine was put into service to help identify vehicles trying to smuggle contraband into the country over the Bota international crossing.

After the system showed possible anomalies, a CBP currency and firearms detection canine searched the vehicle and alerted agents to possible hidden contraband. After CBP agents saw a trained detection dog detect something in the vehicle, the CBP officers ran the SUV through a Z-Portal X-ray scanner. A scan showed something hidden in the quarter panel of the Honda Ridgeline.

Usually, the contraband being smuggled into the country from Mexico is drugs, but this time, the Mexican man was not smuggling any illicit substances. The officers would tear apart the vehicle, where they would recover multiple bags containing 11,100 loose 7.62×39 rounds. These rounds are used in such firearms as AK-pattern rifles. Recovering this amount of ammo being smuggled into the country is highly unusual.

“The volume of this seizure is substantial,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “To put this in perspective, CBP officers working in the El Paso area ports seized 15,678 rounds of ammunition in all of fiscal year 2021, 7,224 rounds in fiscal year 2022, and 11,205 rounds in fiscal year 2023.”

The flow of drugs usually runs from Mexico into the United States across the Southern Border. Ammunition, cash, and firearms generally flow south from the United States into Mexico. Last August, CBP officers working the same crossing seized 93,000 rounds of ammunition being smuggled into Mexico for drug cartels to terrorize the United States’ southern neighbor.

CBP officials are withholding the arrested man’s identity and information about who he was working for at this time. However, many assume his employer was one of the many Mexican-based drug cartels. The man was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and will be federally prosecuted for smuggling goods into the United States.

President-elect Trump has promised to fix the border and crack down on smuggling. One of the ideas being floated by the Trump transition team is to designate Mexican drug cartels as narco-terrorist organizations. The change in designation would take the gloves off, allowing the United States to use military assets to fight back against the brutal cartels.

This week, President Trump appointed Tom Homan as the border czar for his administration.

Mr. Homan is the former Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a hardliner regarding border security. He believes the southern border is too open and pushes for a zero-tolerance policy for illegal crossings. He rose to fame after a legendary exchange with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) over separating families caught trying to enter the country illegally.

Whether President Trump’s changes will make a difference remains to be seen, but until Trump takes office, many expected border crossings to spike.

About John Crump

Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

John Crump