U.S. Reviewing All Mexican Consulates, May Close Some: Report

The U.S. is reviewing all 53 of its Mexican consulates and might close some of them, according to a new report.

CBS News detailed that the review was confirmed by a U.S. official and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio might order that some of the consulates be closed.

Mexico maintains the largest foreign consular network in the United States. The offices provide documentation and legal aid to millions of Mexican citizens who live in the U.S. with offices concentrated in border states.

The review comes amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and Mexico regarding security matters. In April, two CIA agents were killed in a vehicle crash following a clandestine mission to destroy drug labs in Mexico.

Sheinbaum demanded answers regarding what role the CIA agents played in the operation. Although Sheinbaum said that the U.S. and Mexico share information, direct operational involvement by U.S. personnel was another matter and a potential violation of Mexican sovereignty.

Earlier this week, Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, announced he was taking a temoprary leave of absence from his post after being charged in the U.S. over alleged cartel ties.

Rocha Moya has repeatedly denied the charges.

“To my people and to my family, I can look you in the eye because I have never betrayed you, and I never will,” he added.

Rocha Moya was one of ten current and former Mexican officials accused in a federal indictment of conspiring with drug cartels to traffic drugs into the U.S. Rocha Moya is a member of Sheinbaum’s political party, Morena, and was elected in 2021.

Following the indictment, Sheinbaum promised a full investigation by Mexican authorities, but also said that Mexico would stand up against any charges or actions by the U.S. that were found to be politically motivated.

t Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, reacted to the publication, saying that the “Department of State is constantly reviewing all aspects of American foreign relations to ensure they are in line with the President’s America First foreign policy agenda and advance American interests.”