U.S. Northern Command Commander Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, center, speaks with Mexican Defense Secretary Adm. Raymundo Morales Angeles in February 2025. JOSHUA ARMSTRONG/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
THE WATCH STAFF
The leader of Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (DEFENSA) and the commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) participated in a video call in April 2025 in which the leaders recognized the contributions made by both militaries in addressing border security. Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo (DEFENSA) and Gen. Gregory M. Guillot (USNORTHCOM and NORAD) also discussed strengthening educational training and military exchanges between the North American neighbors.
Guillot had a similar call with Adm. Raymundo Morales Angeles, the head of Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy (MARINA), in February. The virtual meetings are an important part of operational compatibility between the two countries. Guillot and Trevilla also had a video conference call in February.
The April 16 call with Trevilla, made at the request of Guillot, covered the efforts of both militaries to improve security along their 3,145-kilometer border, including illegal trafficking of ammunition and gun parts, drug smuggling and illegal migration. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), since January 2025, there has been a 97% decrease in illegal border crossings, a 59% increase in ammunition and gun part seizures and a 70% increase in fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine seizures. Trevilla praised the efforts of both militaries, according to a DEFENSA news release. Beginning in January 2025, Mexico sent 10,000 troops to its side of the border to improve security and cooperation. USNORTHCOM deployed a similar number of troops on the U.S. side.
Guillot and Trevilla also talked about the partnership between the countries and how it might be improved. “Issues were also addressed on the strengthening of military training and academic exchange that are carried out within the framework of the existing cooperation mechanisms since 2016, related to the mutual transmission of experiences and procedures, in which respect for the sovereignty of Mexico and the United States of America is privileged,” the release stated.
In February, Guillot and Morales discussed homeland defense and security cooperation efforts, including USNORTHCOM’s support of DHS efforts on the border. “The leaders highlighted the enduring defense relationship the militaries have built over the past two decades, a partnership founded on trust, open communication, and mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty. They also reaffirmed both nations’ shared commitment to strengthen military coordination and to expand combined capability to defend North America,” according to a U.S. Department of Defense news release.
The meetings stressed that the evolving military relationship is based on mutual respect and a desire to achieve closer operational compatibility. The February calls resulted in the formulation of a Joint Statement of Understanding regarding cooperative activities along the border, to include coordinated patrols on their respective sides of the border, increased information sharing, and methods for immediate communications, according to a USNORTHCOM Facebook post. “Both Gen. Trevilla and Gen. Guillot expect their agreement will enable further conversations and coordination to ensure the mutual security of both countries,” the post stated. His Mexican counterparts voiced similar sentiments. “The open, direct communication and mutual respect that invigorates the bilateral military relationship and translates into coordinated work for the benefit of Mexican and U.S. societies was reaffirmed,” the DEFENSA release stated.