The Mexican Secretary of National Defense Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, left, and Mexican Secretary of the Navy Raymundo Pedro Morales Àngeles, right, were hosted by Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, center, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, at command headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June 2025. U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND
Senior military leaders from Mexico and the United States met in May and June to coordinate strategy and deepen ties. The Mexican secretaries of national defense and the Navy visited Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June 2025 for the first time since they were appointed. The June 23-25 visit was part of a regular high-level exchange between the partner nations. U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Commander Gen. Gregory M. Guillot visited Mexico for similar talks in the past. In May, the commander of the Mexican Army met with the U.S. Army South’s commander in Tucson, Arizona, along with 60 senior military officials representing both countries.
Guillot, who also commands the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), hosted Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, secretary of national defense in Mexico, and Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Mexico’s secretary of the Navy. Guillot outlined the “mission and priorities of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, including the evolving security environment related to shared regional threats,” according to a USNORTHCOM news release. “The Mexican leaders presented their own national defense priorities and perspectives, contributing to a robust exchange of ideas and mutual understanding,” the release stated.
“This visit reflects the enduring trust and open communication between our nations’ militaries,” Guillot said. “Mexico is an essential partner in the defense of North America, and engagements like this ensure our efforts are aligned and effective.”
The coming year presents challenges and opportunities. The 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will require clear compatibility. Mexico and the U.S. have cooperated effectively on the border, each deploying more than 10,000 troops to secure the 3,145-kilometer frontier. “The meetings aimed to build on the close coordination between the U.S. and Mexican armed forces — a partnership based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interest in the defense of North America,” the release stated.
The delegation received briefings at Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and the U.S. Air Force Academy. “We have a clear message: that our institutions, at the highest level, are willing to combine capabilities, experiences, and efforts in favor of security, stability, and respect for sovereignty,” Morales said. The visit strengthened an already strong relationship as both nations face shared security threats, most notably from transnational criminal organization (TCO) activity. “The bonds between USNORTHCOM and our Mexican military partners are strong, resilient and focused on expanding our combined capability to defend and secure North America,” Guillot said.
Senior military officials from Mexico and the U.S. also gathered in May 2025 to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen compatibility and hone strategies to dismantle TCOs that ferry guns, drugs and illegal immigrants across the border.
More than 60 generals and other senior officials met May 19-22 in Tucson, Arizona, to coordinate actions to reduce drug, arms and migrant flows, according to a June 18 Facebook post from DEFENSA, the Mexican secretariat of defense. During the conference, Gen. Norberto Cortès Rodríguez, commander of the Mexican Army, said “this mechanism will improve the coordination and cooperation to confront transnational criminal organizations, and highlights the importance of strengthening relations between both armies,” according to the post.
Lt. Gen. Allan M. Pepin, commander of U.S. Army North, said the collective efforts of the U.S. Army, Air Force and National Guard, including Joint Task Force South, are designed to improve the security of the shared border. He said he felt privileged and honored to work with the Mexican military on this effort, according to the post.