During U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Mexico, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to cross-border security cooperation while emphasizing respect for each other’s sovereignty.

The collaboration focuses on stopping drug and gun trafficking, controlling migration, and includes the creation of a “high-level implementation group” to coordinate ongoing efforts.

The meeting came amid heightened regional concerns over U.S. military actions, including a recent deadly strike on a Venezuelan drug cartel vessel, which Mexico criticized as interventionist, the Associated Press has reported.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed nonintervention and defended Mexico’s sovereignty, while Rubio highlighted the long-standing security partnership and urged continued collaboration on trade and migration issues.