It is for training, not to combat criminal groups. On Wednesday, December 17, President Claudia Sheinbaum sent a request to the Senate to authorize the entry of United States military personnel into Mexican territory, with the aim of participating in a special training program alongside the Armed forces of the country.
According to the request, the entry of 29 US military personnel is proposed, of which 19 belong to the Navy SEALs and 10 to the 7th Special Forces Group. Arrival is scheduled for January 19, 2026 and the stay will end on April 15.
The training program is part of the bilateral cooperation agenda on security and defense between Mexico and the United States, where the exchange of technical and operational knowledge constitutes one of the mechanisms to strengthen the preparation of their armed forces.
What are the functions of the US Navy SEALs?
Navy SEALs are part of the Navy’s special operations forces. United States Navy. It is a unit trained to execute highly complex missions in land, airmobile and maritime environments.
Their preparation is characterized by a high level of physical and tactical demand, as well as the ability to operate in small teams. Among its main functions are:
- Specialized recognition.
- Execution of direct actions against strategic objectives.
- Rescue and recovery of personnel.
- Training and advice to allied forces.
The Navy SEALs emerged in the early 1960s, in the context of the Cold War, as a specialized unit of the United States Navy for unconventional operations.
Its creation responded to the need to have forces capable of carrying out covert, sabotage and reconnaissance missions in maritime and coastal environments. In 1962, then-President John F. Kennedy formally authorized the formation of the first SEAL teams.
Since their creation, these special forces of the US Navy participated in various conflicts and military operations such as:
- Vietnam War: reconnaissance missions, interdiction and direct actions in river and coastal areas.
- Middle East: special operations and tactical actions in different scenarios.
- Balkans: specialized raids and operational support.
- Asia Central: hostage rescue, special raids and support for allied forces.
In recent years, Navy SEALs have participated in high-profile operations under the United States’ security strategy, including missions against international terrorist networks.
What activities will the Navy SEALs carry out in Mexico?
The activities that the Navy SEALs will carry out in Mexico consist of a training program aimed at strengthening the tactical and operational skills of Mexican military personnel. Training includes land and sea reconnaissance exercises, tactical coordination practices and controlled direct action simulations.
Likewise, airmobile exercises are planned, focused on insertion and extraction maneuvers, as well as training in naval operations.
The training scheme contemplates the exchange of techniques, procedures and operational protocols between US instructors and the Mexican Armed Forces, with emphasis on joint work and the standardization of practices in different environments.
The training venues are distributed in different regions of the country and are organized in four phases:
- State of Mexico: ground exercises at the Special Operations Unit Headquarters, in Donato Guerra.
- Aeromobile phase: air coordination practices and tactical deployment of personnel.
- Campeche: land and operational coordination exercises at the Marine Infantry Specialized Training Center, in Champotón, and at Naval Command facilities in Ciudad del Carmen.
- Gulf of Mexico: maritime maneuvers with naval operations practices, aimed at training in maritime scenarios.
Regarding the request to allow the entry of United States military personnel into Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum explained that these are agreements signed a long time ago between both governments and that there is no extraordinary element.
The president pointed out that forces from the United States Northern Command go to Mexico to train in specific protocols, such as the DN-III-E Plan, and that this type of exchange also allows Mexican military personnel to receive training in United States territory.
