Mexico's Senate OKs 28 U.S. Navy SEALs to train its Navy, 83-5
The SEALs would train 87 Mexican naval special operators. The requested stay runs from Oct. 29 to April 15, 2027.
Mexico's Senate voted 83-5 on Wednesday to authorize 28 members of U.S. Navy SEAL Team 4 to enter the country.
The Americans would take part in an exercise called "SOF 19," training in land and maritime operations. The Presidency's request says they would train 87 sailors from two Mexican Navy units: Special Operations and Naval Intelligence.
The program covers close-quarters combat indoors, tactical medicine, urban patrols, explosives detection, sniper techniques, boarding of vessels and maritime interdiction.
There would be two sites. One is the Puerto Cortés naval sector on Isla Margarita, in Baja California Sur; the other is the Navy's advanced training center in Donato Guerra, in the State of Mexico. The U.S. contingent would arrive on a C-130 Hercules from the U.S. Air Force at the La Paz naval air base, carrying tactical gear, ammunition and weapons.
The process moved fast. President Claudia Sheinbaum sent the request, the Senate referred it to its Navy Committee on Monday, and the full chamber voted two days later.
The Constitution requires that approval: Article 76, section III, empowers the Senate to allow foreign troops to pass through national territory.
The Senate has not published a breakdown of the vote by party group or said who voted against. If the dates in the request hold, the training starts Thursday, Oct. 29, and runs through April 15, 2027.
