Carney says Mexican gangs operating in Canada ‘and vice versa,’ vows action

Carney said more cooperation is needed to combat the groups, which is part of a new comprehensive strategic partnership signed with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday acknowledged the issue of Mexican drug cartels operating in Canada, but also that “there are Canadian gangs that operate in Mexico” and that more cooperation is needed to combat them.

Carney made the comments while speaking alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City, where the two leaders signed a new comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at strengthening trade and security ties, including tackling transnational organized crime.

“The unfortunate fact is that yes, there are cartels or gangs from one country in another country, but also vice versa,” he told reporters. “I’m going to acknowledge that there are Canadian gangs that operate in Mexico. We cooperate with the Mexican authorities. We share information. We’re deepening that cooperation.

“Surveillance, heightened police cooperation is appropriate in order to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice, and not wavering in the efforts to bring them to justice, whether the activities are in Canada, Mexico or the United States.”

Sheinbaum noted the partnership agreement signed Thursday focuses on “collaboration and cooperation” on border security, but also issues like cybersecurity and defence.

Canada and Mexico are both facing U.S. tariffs on non-free trade goods, which U.S. President Donald Trump has justified with concerns over cross-border fentanyl trafficking.

A memorandum signed by Trump and issued Wednesday noted that, while Canada has taken actions to combat fentanyl, “more action is needed to stop fentanyl and other drugs from crossing our border and to arrest drug criminals exploiting Canadian territory.”

Canada was not listed among the countries the U.S. has deemed “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries,” but Mexico, China and several Latin American countries are.