US issues security alert for Mexican border city

On Tuesday, the US consulate in Mexico issued a security alert for the border city of Mexicali following a large drug seizure by Mexican authorities. Mexicali, along with Tijuana, serves as an entry point for drugs flowing from Mexico into the United States. The alert was issued after DEA and Mexican security forces collaborated to seize 120kg of fentanyl from a local gang linked to the Sinaloa cartel.

Despite official assurances that there was no specific or imminent risk to the population, the US consulate in Tijuana suspended all activities in Mexicali, the capital of Baja California state. The consulate urged Americans in the area to exercise caution. Baja California, where Mexicali is located, is among Mexico's most violent states due to the presence of drug cartels.

The governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar, reported that security measures had been heightened in response to the increased threat. The security minister, Omar Garcia Harfuch, noted that the recent seizure was a result of information sharing between Mexican and US authorities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum is facing pressure from her US counterpart, Donald Trump, to take more aggressive action against drug cartels.