MEXICO CITY, Dec. 16 — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday voiced disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to classify fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” arguing that the move fails to address the root causes of drug use and will not resolve the associated public health crisis.
Speaking at her daily morning news conference, Sheinbaum said her government will first review the scope and legal implications of the reclassification, which was announced by the U.S. administration a day earlier.
“Our view on how to address drug consumption is different,” Sheinbaum said.
“Of course, crimes must be prosecuted, that’s what prosecutors and judges are for, but we must also address the causes of drug use.”
She stressed that Mexico’s anti-drug strategy prioritizes a comprehensive approach focused on mental health care, strengthening family values, education and rebuilding social cohesion.
“You cannot address drug consumption without policies that tackle the underlying causes and focus on young people,” she said.
Sheinbaum also warned that labeling fentanyl a “weapon of mass destruction” could have broader legal and health-related consequences, saying her administration will carefully evaluate its potential effects.
“Fentanyl also has legal uses. It is used as an anesthetic,” she said.
“So what are the implications for both legal and illegal use when it is classified as a chemical weapon?” She reiterated that combating drug consumption should center on prevention and comprehensive care rather than relying solely on punitive measures or legal reclassifications.
Trump signed an executive order on Monday classifying fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as a “weapon of mass destruction.”
In announcing the move, the U.S. president said illicit fentanyl resembles a chemical weapon more than a narcotic because of its high lethality. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
