PARTNERS Act

The PARTNERS Act (S 2098) establishes a U.S. pilot program to train Mexico's military on countering transnational criminal organizations, including through joint operations and specialized tactics like network analysis and counter-narcotics trafficking. It requires the U.S. Defense Secretary to create a 5-year implementation plan - including costs - within 180 days of enactment, to be reviewed by specific congressional committees. The program directly affects Mexico's armed forces and U.S. agencies (Defense, State, and relevant civilian agencies) coordinating security cooperation. Key mechanisms include assessing feasibility of on-site U.S. training, joint threat assessments, and targeting illicit trafficking networks. The bill focuses on procedural steps for security partnership development, not direct policy changes or outcomes.