On Monday, the DEA announced a new partnership with Mexico to target drug cartel “gatekeepers.” It is called Project Portero. According to the agency, the plan would unite Mexican investigators with U.S. law enforcement, prosecutors, defense officials, and intelligence officers to choke off smuggling corridors at the border. Then on Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum flatly denied knowing anything about it. “There is no agreement with the DEA,” she said. “The DEA puts out this statement, based on what we don’t know. We have not reached any agreement; none of the security institutions has an agreement with the DEA.” So… ¿qué pasa? Either Washington just launched a high-profile cross-border operation without telling Mexico — or Sheinbaum is distancing herself from it for political reasons at home. But here’s the pattern: every time Washington talks about “going after the cartels,” Sheinbaum plays shocked, as if it’s not a priority. Why? Because she’s either unwilling or unable to take it on herself. One thing is clear: she doesn’t “got this.” The post DEA Announces Joint Cartel Crackdown — Mexico Says ‘What Agreement?’ appeared first on Redacted.