US Navy Destroyer Spotted in Mexican Waters: Sovereignty at Risk?

Chiquilá, Quintana Roo — Fishermen from the coastal town of Chiquilá, Quintana Roo, reported an encounter with a U.S. Navy destroyer in Mexican waters last April, an incident that has raised concerns about national sovereignty and maritime security. The event, captured in a video later circulated on social media, occurred approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) from Chiquilá’s port—well within Mexico’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Fishermen’s Account of the Encounter

On April 16, 2025, a group of local fishermen departed Chiquilá for a routine three-day fishing trip. Located 437 kilometers from Chetumal, the state capital, Chiquilá is a small fishing and tourism-dependent community facing Holbox Island, a popular tourist destination. The fishermen reported being intimidated by the presence of the U.S. warship, which they claimed was operating in Mexican territorial waters.

Despite the fishermen’s testimony, the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina) dismissed the video as false and stated it had no record of such an incident. However, multiple fishing crews from Chiquilá corroborated the account in interviews with Proceso magazine, describing how the destroyer’s presence disrupted their work.

Legal and Geopolitical Implications

Under international law, Mexico’s exclusive economic zone extends 200 nautical miles (370.4 kilometers) from its coastline, granting it sovereign rights over marine resources. However, the U.S. does not recognize this boundary, instead adhering to its own interpretation based on the continental shelf.

Raúl Benítez Manaut, a security expert and researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), explained the legal complexities: “Most major naval powers do not recognize the 200-mile limit; de facto, they treat these waters as international. Even if the Mexican Navy wanted to act, it couldn’t.” He added that the U.S. is not obligated to notify Mexico of its military movements in these contested zones.

Government Response and Broader Concerns

While the incident did not violate U.S. policy, it has sparked debate over Mexico’s ability to enforce its maritime sovereignty. The federal government has yet to issue a formal statement, but analysts argue that such encounters should prompt heightened vigilance.