During a Mother's Day event at the White House, former President Donald Trump reiterated his assertion that drug cartels are the true rulers of Mexico and that President Claudia Sheinbaum lacks genuine authority in her nation.
“The cartels are the ones in charge of Mexico, nobody else,” Trump stated to the media, continuing a narrative he's pushed since the onset of his second term, directly implicating Sheinbaum as a powerless figure against organized crime.
His comments came just two days after he threatened potential military intervention in Mexico. “If they won't handle it, we will,” he warned on Wednesday during the unveiling of the new U.S. National Drug Control Strategy for 2026.
Border Control and Drug Trafficking Concerns
At the same event, Trump boasted a 97% reduction in maritime drug trafficking under his administration but cautioned that land routes remain problematic. “We lose 200,000 people annually to the poison entering our country,” he declared, promising imminent control over the land border.
In response, Sheinbaum rejected any foreign intervention during her Thursday morning briefing. “We are taking action: there's almost a 50% drop in homicides, 2,500 labs destroyed... fentanyl passage from Mexico to the U.S. has decreased,” she said, emphasizing her government’s cooperation with Washington while refusing any meddling in domestic affairs.
Heightened Bilateral Tensions
This exchange occurs amid heightened tensions between the two nations. On Friday, it was revealed that CIA agents conducted an operation in Chihuahua against drug labs without prior consent from the Mexican government, possibly breaching the National Security Law.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice formally charged Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa and a member of Sheinbaum's party Morena, in a federal court in New York on April 29. He faces charges of conspiracy to import narcotics and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, with potential sentences ranging from 40 years to life imprisonment.
This accusation bolsters Trump's narrative about cartel infiltration within the Mexican government. Federal prosecutor Jay Clayton made it clear: “The Sinaloa Cartel is a ruthless criminal organization that has flooded this community with dangerous drugs for decades.”
Trump's Aggressive Stance on Cartels
The escalation isn't new. Since January, Trump has warned of an impending ground assault on the cartels, publicly stating that Sheinbaum “doesn't lead” and “is afraid.” During the "Shield of the Americas" Summit in Miami in March, Trump solidified an anti-narcotics coalition with 12 Latin American countries and signed a decree allowing "lethal military force" under the "Donroe Doctrine."
In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order designating six Mexican cartels, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, as terrorist organizations, paving the way for unilateral military actions.
In April, the U.S. launched lethal strikes against drug traffickers in the Pacific, indicating Washington's willingness to act beyond its borders. With the recent review of 53 Mexican consulates in the U.S. and potential closures, the pressure on Sheinbaum's administration shows no sign of abating.
Addressing the U.S.-Mexico Drug Cartel Conflict
What are the main accusations made by Donald Trump regarding Mexico?
Donald Trump has accused the Mexican government of being controlled by drug cartels, claiming that President Claudia Sheinbaum lacks real authority and that the cartels are the true power holders in the country.
How has the Mexican government responded to Trump's threats?
President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected any foreign intervention, asserting that her government is actively reducing crime rates and drug trafficking, while cooperating with U.S. authorities without allowing external interference.
What legal actions have been taken against Mexican officials in the U.S.?
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, with conspiracy to import narcotics and connections to the Sinaloa Cartel, reinforcing accusations of cartel infiltration in the Mexican government.