In 2025, Mexico, under new President Claudia Sheinbaum, is navigating a complex and often contradictory approach to cartels, balancing efforts at cross-border security cooperation with the U.S. with a firm stance on sovereignty. This follows an increase in targeted violence by cartels, particularly the Sinaloa cartel, and rising pressure from the U.S., which has designated cartels as terrorist organizations.
Domestic strategy and legislation
Intelligence overhaul: In July 2025, Mexico passed legislation creating a National System of Investigation and Intelligence in Public Security. This system grants security agencies broader powers to access private data and aims to improve coordination to dismantle organized crime.
Expanded data surveillance: The intelligence reform allows for the creation of a Central Intelligence Platform to centralize various types of data, including personal, biometric, and geolocation information. While designed to speed up criminal investigations, this expansion of power has raised concerns about potential privacy abuses.
Cybersecurity focus: The Mexican government, along with the U.S. and Canada, has committed to adopting risk-based cybersecurity controls to protect against digital threats. This includes protecting cross-border data flows and working toward alignment with international standards on cybercrime.
Bilateral
cooperation with the U.S.
Joint security framework: In September 2025, the U.S. and Mexico released a joint statement reaffirming security cooperation, with a focus on dismantling cartels through cooperation between law enforcement and judicial authorities. This approach emphasizes mutual respect for each nation's sovereignty.
Intelligence collaboration: Despite differing public statements on specific programs, the U.S. and Mexico engage in regular, daily cooperation on cartel issues, which includes intelligence sharing and U.S. surveillance flights over Mexican territory. In September 2025, Reuters reported that the CIA has been conducting covert operations with Mexican security forces to pursue cartel leaders.
Extradition and deportation: Mexico has collaborated with the U.S. on extraditing cartel figures. In February 2025, Mexico transferred 29 wanted cartel members to U.S. custody. In August 2025, Mexico expelled 26 more cartel figures to the U.S..
Mixed signals on U.S. programs: U.S. officials, including from the DEA, have announced new initiatives to tackle cartels, such as "Project Portero" in August 2025. However, President Sheinbaum has publicly denied knowledge of such agreements, signaling potential bilateral mistrust.
Escalating threats and violence
Cartel retaliation: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning in October 2025 about Mexican cartels placing bounties on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.
Drone attacks: In October 2025, a drone attack carrying explosives struck a prosecutor's office in Tijuana, a key drug-trafficking hub. Authorities reported minor damage but no casualties.
Surging violence in Sinaloa: The state of Sinaloa has seen a sharp increase in targeted killings of civilians, with violence in the first half of 2025 already surpassing the total for all of 2024. Observers link this to the continuing struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel, even after the arrests of key leaders.
Political
and international dimensions
U.S. sanctions and visa revocations: In August 2025, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against financial networks tied to Mexican cartels. In October 2025, the U.S. revoked the visas of at least 50 Mexican officials, including members of Sheinbaum's party, as part of its cartel crackdown, creating diplomatic friction.
Sheinbaum's response: President Sheinbaum has publicly pushed back against U.S. suggestions of military incursions into Mexico, calling such actions an "invasion" and a violation of sovereignty. Her administration has also condemned cartel efforts to win public support through social media campaigns and providing aid during disasters.
In 2025, Mexico, under new President Claudia Sheinbaum, is pursuing a revised security strategy that moves away from her predecessor's military-centric approach. It focuses on improving intelligence gathering, strengthening law enforcement, and addressing the root causes of cartel violence, though it faces internal political tensions and disputes with the United States.
Mexico's
revised security strategy
Civilian-led intelligence and police: President Sheinbaum has promoted a shift toward a "Federal Police 2.0," sidelining the armed forces to empower a newly structured civilian police force. This contrasts with former President López Obrador's heavy reliance on the military and the National Guard.
Strengthened intelligence and investigation: The government is establishing a National System of Investigation and Intelligence, centralizing access to intelligence, fiscal, and biometric data to prosecute organized crime more effectively.
"Federal Police 2.0": Sheinbaum's administration is creating a new, specialized, and civilian-led investigative unit. This includes reforms to improve prison governance and expand rehabilitation programs, especially for non-violent offenders.
Addressing root causes: Following her predecessor's focus, Sheinbaum's plan includes addressing the underlying socioeconomic causes of violence to reduce the appeal of joining cartels.
Cooperation
and tension with the United States
Bilateral security framework: The US and Mexico are cooperating to dismantle transnational crime under the "Bicentennial Framework for Security," which includes disrupting criminal finances, stopping arms and drug trafficking, and enhancing justice sector cooperation.
Intelligence sharing: Mexico is sharing information and acting on US intelligence to apprehend cartel leaders. The US has also expanded surveillance flights over Mexican territory at Mexico's request.
US pressure and Mexican pushback: Mexico is cooperating with the US while pushing back against US proposals for unilateral military action, which Mexico's constitution prohibits. In August 2025, President Sheinbaum denied knowledge of a US-announced anti-cartel initiative called "Project Portero," creating distrust.
US
sanctions and visa actions: The US has been using financial tools and visa
revocations to put pressure on Mexican officials.
In
August 2025, the US Treasury sanctioned violent Mexican cartels.
In
October 2025, the US revoked visas for more than 50 Mexican officials over
alleged cartel ties.
Extraditions: In August 2025, Mexico expelled 26 cartel figures wanted by US officials.
Ongoing
cartel violence and challenges
Despite
new government initiatives, cartel violence and influence remain widespread.
Challenges include:
In-fighting:
Cartels like the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation continue to battle each
other and smaller groups for territorial control.
Military-grade
weapons: Mexican cartels are using military-grade explosives and weapons, in
part sourced from the US, for attacks.
Bounties on US law enforcement: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported that cartels are offering bounties for the murder of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
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Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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