"Mexico's cartels" Topic

So you are the president of Mexico and President Trump calls and asks "how can we help you?'

What do you tell him (presumably after talking with your military leaders).

Looks like the cartels have some effective anti-air capacity. Taking that out would be a place to begin.

Those cartels are better equipped than some armies, any assistance would probably be welcome.

Problem with cutting off the heads of the Mexican hydras is what grows in its place…..

The U.S. did aid with this one. So Mexico did accept our aid. The U.S. also provided the pressure to do so. Another goal of fentanyl reduction, along with border shutdown, drug ship attacks, removal of Venezuela's leader, agreement with Columbias leader…….

"Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, who was killed by the Mexican army on February 22, 2026, was considered one of the primary leaders responsible for the global fentanyl trade. At the time of his death, he led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identifies alongside the Sinaloa Cartel as the two main organizations responsible for nearly all fentanyl trafficked into the United States.
BBC
BBC"

The U.S. provided critical intelligence support and "complementary information" to the Mexican military for the operation that killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), on February 22, 2026.
BBC
BBC

While the raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco, was planned and executed solely by Mexican special forces, the U.S. played a significant role through the following means:
Intelligence Collection: A newly formed, military-led Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) provided a detailed "target package" to Mexican authorities.

Bilateral Cooperation: The operation was conducted under a framework of cooperation involving the U.S. Northern Command, which regularly coordinates with the Mexican military.

Financial Incentives: The U.S. State Department had maintained a $15 USD million reward for information leading to his capture, designating him a top target for his role in trafficking fentanyl into the U.S..

Strategic Pressure: The operation followed intense pressure from the Trump administration for Mexico to take more aggressive action against cartels, which included designating the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.
Reuters
Reuters

This operation follows the July 2024 arrest of another major leader, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who was taken into U.S. custody in Texas after being lured onto a plane by a rival faction. "

35thm yes, that the US helped get the kingpin was known. Question is, what help does Mexico ask for now? I'd say intell and suppression of cartel air defenses as a minimum. No US boots on the ground except air control personnel double teamed with Mexican military. Let the Mexicans select the targets, and announce that. Treat the cartels as belligerent nations and fight for regime change.

Doc

"35thm yes, that the US helped get the kingpin was known."

Actually probably by less than 65% of the U.S. population, even less elsewhere.

"1. Negative Sentiment in Media Coverage
Data from independent media watchdogs suggests that news coverage of the current administration has been overwhelmingly negative across major networks. 

* 92% Negative Coverage: A study by the Media Research Center (MRC) analyzed evening news on ABC, CBS, and NBC during the first 100 days of the administration's second term. It found that 92% of statements made by reporters and anchors about President Trump were negative.

* Stark Contrast to Predecessor: The same group found that during the first 100 days of the Biden administration, negative coverage stood at 41%, indicating a significantly different media tone.

* Topic-Specific Negativity: Even on topics where the administration has seen success or high public approval, the spin remained negative. For example, while the administration touts reduced border crossings, media coverage of immigration was 93% negative. Coverage of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was 97% negative. 
*
* ABC 33/40
 +3

2. Public Perception of Media Bias
Americans are acutely aware of this dynamic, though their views are deeply polarized along party lines.

* Belief in Media Fabrication: Roughly 46% of Americans believe the media frequently fabricates stories about President Trump.

* Perceived Relationship: A Pew Research Center survey found that 64% of U.S. adults describe the relationship between the administration and the media as "bad".

* Partisan Split on "Too Critical":Approximately 69% of Republicans believe the media is "too critical" of the president, compared to only 12% of Democrats. Conversely, 62% of Democrats feel the media has not been critical enough."
…
Hard to argue with those stats, although some will try. 🙄

The main problem is that Mexico has been a corrupt state for close to a century. The corruption is so embedded in the government and parts of the society that all these actions are of a transient nature.

As it stands today, Mexico is a marginally functional narco-state. And to truly eliminate the problem is going to require that the entire society acknowledges the true nature of the problem and has the courage to eradicate it. This will require a total societal shift.

It is solely up to the Mexican people to deal with the problem. And to date they haven't shown the wherewithal to do it.

Stone

"It is solely up to the Mexican people to deal with the problem. And to date they haven't shown the wherewithal to do it."

I've said similar about elsewhere, before. The Venezuelans, the Iranians, the Germans prior to World War II, the list is endless. They elect or raise in leaders who promise "bread and circuses" and all they get are "moldy crusts and fake side shows". But they never learn.

Stop and cut financial flow.
Eliminate ties to interantional terror groups and aid.
Eliminate Chicomm ties and supplies of precursors.
Expose tie to politicians and other countries.

A start.

Looks like a war zone. So well armed the government had to bring in air power.

Subject: Breanna Morello on X: "The same people doing this in Mexico are the same people ICE is trying to detain and deport. t.co/RpykB9YALd / X


link

a corrupt state for close to a century

Mexico became independent in 1810, and certainly inherited corruption from the Spanish colonial government -- and the Aztec regime that ruled before the Spanish was most likely as corrupt as it was bloodthirsty.

So I think more than a century, even if you're just counting modern Mexico.

The most pressing situation for we Americans are the American tourists stuck there. As one who taught NEO (Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations) the reports of Army troops in country is probably our Government's attempt to activate NEO propcedures. This is 100% what that plan was created for. Pray for all of our countrymen involved down there.

Mexico is failed Narco-state. Like many places in Central & South American, it is dominated/influenced by the cartels and gangs. Many in their gov'ts are on the take and corrupt. And they fear to do anything to upset the cartels, or they and/or their families will die probably horribly.

Will anything happen to the Mex. President. Is she or some in their gov't taking sides? Supporting one group of criminals killing off the another. Made a deal to have the military do the wet for one cartel vs. another ?

I'm pretty sure the US has made it clear if any US citizens are killed or taken hostage. There will be Hell to pay. They need to remember the Venezuelan Raid and the strikes on Iran's nuke facilities, etc. Of course, it appears the world will once again see in the very near future US firepower/tech in action. Turning many key and critical targets in rubble. Killing/destroying those that pose a threat, e.g. IRGC, C3, etc., etc.

Frankly this was a long time in coming. We have a chance here to rid the planet of this militant islamic death cult.

That being said, the US pretty much knows where the cartel bosses live, the drug factories, the support, transport, supply, etc. locations. I and other have said this before With TLAMs, drones, etc. the US could remove most of the cartel and gangs. Which would be win for everyone but the criminals. Of course, especially some in Congress, the media, Europe, etc., etc. would once again, howl like banshees. If the POTUS does not go to Congress to declare war.

Which in reality it would be a series of strikes from primarily air and naval assets. Multiple air raids, missile strike, etc. Won't take more than 2 weeks(?) or so to cleanse the cartels and many gang targets off the face of the planet.

IMO, use our firepower and tech to remove Iran leaders, etc. from the board. And if need be, do the same with the Mex. cartels and gangs …

In both situations, the US has been too "nice" … News Flash … TLAMs, Drones, F22s, F35s, F/A18s, B52s, etc., are not very nice when deployed loaded for bear …

35thOVI, talk of drugs from Venezuela ceased as soon as the country's oil fields came under US control. And that's not surprising – drugs from that country accounted for a tiny share of the US market (no more than 10% of cocaine comes from the entire region). I doubt anyone even noticed the disappearance of even 5% of cocaine from the streets (in reality, even that much isn't there – the absence was immediately replaced by much more significant suppliers).
Let's be honest – Trump wasn't interested in drugs at all.

StoneMtnMinis, are you trying to change people's mentality with appeals and exhortations? It's impossible. Loyalty to corruption grows in poor countries, along with their children…

Legion 4, destroying drug cartel bases isn't a problem. But as soon as troops leave these territories, everything will start again… However, troops are also susceptible to corruption. The example of Afghanistan is before everyone. through the eyes:
link

"35thOVI, talk of drugs from Venezuela ceased as soon as the country's oil fields came under US control. And that's not surprising – drugs from that country accounted for a tiny share of the US market (no more than 10% of cocaine comes from the entire region). I doubt anyone even noticed the disappearance of even 5% of cocaine from the streets (in reality, even that much isn't there – the absence was immediately replaced by much more significant suppliers).
Let's be honest – Trump wasn't interested in drugs at all."

Caprum, incorrect. It makes news services ( Fox, web) daily, just not the MSM wasteland, who only concern themselves in bringing the administration down.

We almost daily see another narco boat hit. Yes still happening.

Venezuela was a cog in a larger strategy against the drug lords and drug leaders (Maduro in Venezuela). It seems to be working, But I explained that before.

It was a cog against China, Cuba, Iran and others. Cutting off oil products and other products. In attempts to increase pressure upon them.

It was a cog in reinforcing the Old Monroe Doctrine. A doctrine that many globalists administrations have forgotten. "The U.S. first and foremost".

And yes, it was about resources and access to them.

To say "it was only for oil" is the MSM simplistic anti Trump headlines.

As simplistic as saying "Russia is after only land in the Ukraine" or "Russia wants to conquer all of Europe". 🙂 everything is nuanced.

Legion

"Frankly this was a long time in coming. We have a chance here to rid the planet of this militant islamic death cult."

Agree with most of what you say. But militant Islam will never be eradicated, it is ingrained in the religion and its writings from its inception. Sadly, One can only suppress it temporarily and extinguish its current outbreaks. 😔

Be realistic))) If Trump had made the fight against drugs a top priority, he would have first blocked the gigantic quantities of fentanyl coming from Mexico and Canada…
Trump wants to control energy markets and maritime trade routes. This way, he can, essentially, dictate his terms to the entire world… He's already thinking about buying Russian gas and selling it to Europe via the restored Nord Stream pipeline… But at high, American prices. Brilliant)))

I am realistic Caprum. Look at what is going on in Mexico today and since he took office. Multiple top drug dealers killed or captured and sent to the U.S. for imprisonment. Look at the deal with the leader of Columbia since the capture of Venezuela Madero and what has started on that side of the drug arena.

The number of fentanyl deaths in the US decreased by 21% in 2025 and the potency of fentanyl decreased in 2025.

We closed the open border in 2025, decreasing those bringing it over.

It is a much broader picture.

Cutting off Cuba from both Venezuela and Iran again, may make another domino fall.

Regime change in Iran? Perhaps another.

As I said, there are multiple threads happening. Access to the resources of Venezuela is just one. I don't believe oil is the major resource the U.S. wants from there anyway.

Stopping China from receiving oil ?

That worked really well against Japan in 1941 …

"He's already thinking about buying Russian gas and selling it to Europe via the restored Nord Stream pipeline… But at high, American prices. Brilliant)))…

35thOVI and pals… is this true?…

Armand

Tango.

I'd say right now these are "questionable" rumors being spread by all sides in the Ukrainian war negotiations and very questionable sources all around.

Below is AI response to this question, read it yourself.

But you could watch tonight's State of the Union speech. Maybe he will let something slip.

As of February 24, 2026, reports indicate that Donald Trump is exploring a potential deal to revive the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. While the project was severely damaged by explosions in 2022 and remains non-operational, recent developments suggest a shift in policy from his previous opposition.
Atlantic Council
Atlantic Council
+2
Key details regarding these plans include:
Secret Negotiations: The Trump administration has reportedly been engaged in "unofficial" and "secret" talks in Switzerland with Russian representatives to discuss restoring gas flow. These discussions are reportedly led by Richard Grenell, Trump's former ambassador to Germany.

Proposed U.S. Control: A central part of the discussed deal involves U.S. investors acquiring a stake in or taking over the operating company, Nord Stream 2 AG, which is currently owned by Russia's Gazprom. This would effectively put the pipeline's operations under American control.

Geopolitical Strategy: The revival is allegedly being considered as part of a broader strategy to end the conflict in Ukraine. Proponents argue it could serve as a "carrot" to encourage Russian concessions.

Significant Hurdles:
Physical Damage: Only one of the pipeline's two strands is intact, and repairs could cost upwards of $100 USD million.

European Opposition: Germany and the European Union have expressed strong resistance, viewing a return to Russian gas as "economic imperialism" and a threat to their goal of energy independence from Russia.