Jobaaj Stories
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has warned that if the U.S. designates Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups, legal action will be taken against American gunmakers. She stated that gun manufacturers could be considered accomplices to violence in Mexico.
U.S. Weapons Fuel Mexican Cartels
According to Sheinbaum, the U.S. Justice Department has acknowledged that 74% of the weapons used by criminal groups in Mexico come from the U.S. Every year, between 200,000 to 500,000 firearms are smuggled into Mexico. Investigations have shown that cartels operate like terrorist cells, paying Americans to purchase weapons from stores and online dealers. These firearms are then trafficked across the border by networks of brokers and couriers.
U.S. Plans to Label Cartels as Terrorists
Reports suggest that the U.S. State Department is planning to classify Mexican criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel, the Jalisco New Generation cartel, the Northeast cartel, the Michoacan family, and the United cartel, as terrorist groups. This move has raised tensions between the two nations.
Mexico’s Legal Action Against Gunmakers
Mexico has already sued U.S. arms manufacturers and vendors, demanding $10 billion in damages for their role in fueling cartel violence. Sheinbaum strongly opposes U.S. allegations that Mexico’s government has ties with criminal organizations. Instead, she argues that the real problem lies with U.S. gun stores supplying weapons to cartels.
Mexico’s Gun Control Measures
In response to rising violence, Mexico has launched a campaign to reduce the number of illegal weapons on the streets. Citizens are encouraged to anonymously surrender firearms in exchange for cash at designated drop-off locations, including churches.
U.S. Military Surveillance on Cartels?
Mexico’s Defense Minister, Ricardo Trevilla, has suggested that U.S. military aircraft may have spied on cartel activities during flights near Mexican territory. However, it remains unclear whether surveillance was conducted.
Rising Tensions Between the U.S. and Mexico
Relations between the two countries have been strained due to various issues, including illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and trade tariffs. A recent White House statement indicated that former U.S. President Donald Trump planned to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods to address these concerns. Although the tariffs were halted for 30 days, tensions continue to rise.
Conclusion
As the U.S. considers labeling cartels as terrorist groups, Mexico’s government is pushing back by holding U.S. gunmakers accountable. The conflict highlights the deep connections between arms trafficking, organized crime, and diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries.
