Day 597 — U.S. DHS Secretary Mullin Arrives in Mexico City for Bilateral Security Talks; Drug Czar Sara Carter Visit Postponed to May 25

On May 21, 2026 (Day 597, Thursday), U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin arrived in Mexico City at 12:00 hrs for a high-level bilateral security meeting — his first official visit to Mexico since being confirmed as DHS Secretary (confirmed March 2026, replacing Kristi Noem). The visit occurred amid elevated bilateral tensions over the Sinaloa cartel DOJ indictments, drug trafficking policy, and Mexico's sovereignty framings following the Chihuahua CIA unauthorized operations. DHS BILATERAL TALKS: Mullin met with Mexico's Security Cabinet — led by SSPC Secretary Omar García Harfuch — for discussions on drug trafficking, border security, and law enforcement cooperation. Sheinbaum addressed the meeting at her mañanera, reiterating that cooperation must respect Mexican sovereignty: Mexico will engage as an equal partner, not accept directives. No formal joint communiqué was released immediately after the meeting. The visit is seen as part of the broader diplomatic de-escalation effort following the Sheinbaum-Trump phone call on May 16, which agreed on a bilateral meeting of U.S. envoys in Mexico around May 27, ahead of the first formal USMCA review round (week of May 25). SARA CARTER POSTPONED: Sheinbaum confirmed at the same mañanera that Sara Carter — Trump's Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director (drug czar) — would not be visiting Mexico on the originally planned date; her meeting was rescheduled to Monday, May 25. Carter had been expected to accompany or follow Mullin's delegation. The postponement reflects ongoing scheduling and protocol coordination between U.S. and Mexican counterpart agencies. SINALOA GOVERNOR STATUS: Separately, the May 21 mañanera also addressed ongoing questions about suspended Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya's protection status — continuing the discussion from May 20 when García Harfuch confirmed Rocha Moya was under state police (not Guardia Nacional) protection.