Mexico's Senate suspended authorization for US troops entry following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. The decision comes amid regional tensions from the military intervention in Venezuela. Meanwhile, a group of protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in Mexico City against what they called imperialist aggression.
Suspension in the Senate
Mexico's Senate of the Republic paused authorization for the entry of 29 US military personnel, scheduled for training activities from January 19 to April 15, 2026. The Marina Commission, chaired by Morena's Carlos Lomelí, canceled its January 5 session, as reported by Milenio journalist Leti Robles. "The presidency of the Senate's Marina Commission notified the cancellation of the meeting, without a new date yet defined to resume discussion of the topic," Robles explained on social media.
Morena Senator Manuel Huerta confirmed the suspension, stating it allows for broader analysis. "I believe it's important to give ourselves prudent time to address this and other issues," Huerta expressed. This action responds to the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro and the military intervention in Venezuela, generating caution among Mexican legislators regarding foreign military presence.
The US request involves 19 Navy SEALs and 10 from the Seventh Special Forces Group, for the exercise “Improve the Capability of Special Operations Forces,” focused on tactical knowledge exchange and operational coordination with Mexico's Navy. Mexico has officially rejected the intervention in Venezuela, recalling the United Nations resolution urging countries to abstain from threats or use of force against any state's territorial integrity.
Protest Outside the US Embassy
On January 3, 2026, a small group of civilians and politicians protested outside the US Embassy in Mexico City against Maduro's detention, labeled as “imperialist aggression” by President Donald Trump. Protesters carried signs reading “Enough aggressions and blackmails against Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia!”, “We are not your backyard,” and “The great homeland must be respected.”
Salvador Ferrer from the Independent Union of the Autonomous Metropolitan University (Situam) denounced the violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and called for international campaigns with protests at US embassies. Lissett Magno Jaramillo, Morena counselor in Toluca, warned: “Latin America is being bombed again after 35 years” and cautioned that “tomorrow it could be Mexico.” Federal Deputy Malena Rosales, from Morena, accused: “Dictators are those in the United States. Dictators are those of war, who invade free, sovereign countries.”
The military operation in Caracas, boasted by Trump, has escalated diplomatic tensions in the region, with Maduro and Diosdado Cabello detained and transported aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
