Mexican authorities have been engaged in a deadly battle against drug cartels since 2006, resulting in over 431,000 homicides in the country. The United States has provided billions of dollars in aid to Mexico to fight the drug trade, resulting in the capture or killing of top cartel leaders. Mexican drug cartels are responsible for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the United States.
The Sinaloa Cartel, formerly led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) pose the biggest threats to the United States, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Other major cartels include the Beltrán-Leyva Organization, Los Zetas, and Guerreros Unidos. The cartels have flourished amid political corruption, poverty, and the failure of the U.S. “war on drugs” campaign.
Previous Mexican governments have used militarized crackdowns to fight the drug trade, resulting in escalating violence. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has shifted focus towards social and economic reforms to address the root causes of organized crime. However, his administration has faced scrutiny over human rights abuses and alleged ties to cartels. The U.S.-Mexico relationship faced strain under President Donald Trump, leading to arrests and restrictions on law enforcement operations.
As President Biden works to address security and the opioid crisis with Mexico, incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum aims to reduce the homicide rate through judicial reforms and increased law enforcement efforts. The battle against drug cartels remains a significant challenge for Mexico and the United States, with the human toll of violence and corruption continuing to take a devastating toll on both countries.
Source
Photo credit www.cfr.org
