**Primary Article: Expanding Influence of Criminal Organizations between Mexico and the United States**
In Mexico, there are currently ten major drug cartels alongside at least 72 additional cells, creating a complex network of around 100 criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and various other serious crimes. This situation is concerning to the United States, particularly due to the presence and expansion of two predominant cartels: the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS) and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), as highlighted in the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment by the DEA.
The noted cartels in Mexico include the Beltrán Leyva Cartel (CBL), La Familia Michoacana (LFM), the Gulf Cartel (CDG), Los Zetas, the Juárez Cartel (CDJ), the Arellano Félix Cartel (CAF), the Northeast Cartel (CDN), and the Caborca Cartel (CC). These groups operate extensively throughout the country. Even Yucatán, Mexico’s safest state, is not immune to their presence as these organizations tend to hide or evade authorities rather than conduct operations there.
In northern Mexico, particularly in states like Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo León, violent confrontations often occur as these regions are home to multiple powerful criminal factions. These include the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, and the Northeast Cartel, which are known for their brutality and history of betrayals. Similar conflicts are seen across various Mexican states where cartels battle for control over drug production, trafficking routes, and territory.
The influence of these cartels isn’t limited to Mexican borders. In the United States, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels hold significant sway and are present in all 50 states. They control drug production and trafficking routes and are deeply involved in numerous other criminal enterprises, including arms trafficking and money laundering. Due to the severe drug crisis in the U.S., notably the fentanil epidemic that resulted in over 100,000 deaths, these organizations pose a critical threat.
The situation is complicated further by internal power struggles within the cartels themselves, such as the infighting reported within the Sinaloa Cartel and the potential leadership change in the CJNG due to health issues of its current leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”
**Secondary Article: Evolving U.S.-Mexico Relations Amidst Rising Cartel Influence**
As criminal organizations tighten their grip, the United States is recalibrating its approach to counteract these threats. The focus is not just on drug trafficking but extends to broader issues like immigration and border security, especially under the anticipated leadership of the incoming U.S. president.
Donald Trump, who is set to retake office in January 2025, has started assembling his team to address these challenges. Key appointments include Tom Homan, a former acting director of ICE, as the “Border Czar,” and Marco Antonio Rubio García, a Florida senator, as Secretary of State. This marks a potential shift towards more stringent border policies, aimed at curbing illegal immigration as well as the activities of Mexican drug cartels.
Experts, such as political scientist César Alarcón Gil, predict a more aggressive stance from the U.S. towards Mexico regarding these issues. The new administration is expected to apply pressure on Mexico to act more decisively against organized crime, with a particular focus on the trafficking of fentanil — a major concern for American public health and safety. The complexity of U.S.-Mexico relations may deepen as both nations navigate these persistent security challenges.