Shield of the Americas and Mexico’s sovereignty leverage

Washington’s new Shield of the Americas coalition was built without Mexico, but Mexico will still feel its effects. The issue is not only security. It also touches sovereignty, trade leverage, migration talks, and the balance of power in the bilateral relationship. As the United States pushes a more militarized cartel strategy, Mexico must decide how far it can cooperate without yielding control. The real question is whether this new pressure weakens Mexico’s position or gives it new bargaining tools.