Joshua Treviño, Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said that Mexico must either cooperate with the United States in addressing cartels or continue to "accommodate" and "defend" them, contrary to the will of the Mexican people. Treviño made this statement on January 21.

According to the White House website, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. In his inaugural address, he indicated several executive orders he plans to sign, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border. "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came," Trump said. He also mentioned that his administration would end the policy of "catch and release" and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

A survey conducted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Mexico’s security situation revealed significant concern among voters regarding escalating cartel violence. The survey found that 78% considered there were "unacceptable risks to their safety and well-being," while 83% identified cartels as a "serious problem." Additionally, 58% ranked cartel issues as the nation’s top concern. Furthermore, 49% supported U.S. involvement if coordinated with Mexico’s government, and half of respondents expressed a desire for an agreement between the U.S. and Mexico to confront cartels.

According to TPPF, these survey results indicate growing dissatisfaction among Mexican voters with how their government has managed the cartel issue. The foundation suggests that Mexico has a choice to cooperate with the U.S., especially since President Trump has declared America’s intent to target cartels for endangering U.S. citizens.

Joshua S. Treviño serves as Chief Transformation Officer at TPPF, according to its website. He previously worked as a speechwriter and international-health professional in George W. Bush's administration.