Mexican federal deputy Mario Zamora Gastélum held a virtual meeting with Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to present a proposal for legal poppy cultivation in Sinaloa. ^[1] President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that bilateral cooperation does not imply renouncing Mexico's principles and that she will defend the country's sovereignty, dignity, and independence. ^[2] President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her government will maintain the search for agreements on security and trade within the context of the USMCA review. ^[3] Mario Zamora stated that the project seeks to undermine the financial structures of organized crime and provide formal employment to families in the region. ^[4] The proposal aims to produce medicinal morphine through the regulated cultivation of poppies in Sinaloa to replace illegal production. ^[5] President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she will follow up on complaints regarding the death of 17 nationals to demand respect for their human rights. ^[6] President Claudia Sheinbaum identified the treatment of Mexicans during detentions and migration operations in US territory as one of the most sensitive topics in bilateral relations. ^[7] The meeting took place during the Trump administration, with Zamora seeking validation for a pilot model to regulate current illicit cultivation. ^[8]