The Mexican cartel has taken steps to avoid the intense heat that President Donald Trump has discovered since he entered the White House for the second time.
New York Times It was revealed Amid the threat to Trump's tariffs, the US military, along with the Mexican government's new pressure campaign, has used the US military to face them directly, and cartel leaders have taken steps to protect themselves and their businesses.
“One cartel leader says they are trying to find a way to protect their families if the US forces attack within Mexico. Another says they are already hidden and rarely left their home.
“I can't calm down. I can't even sleep.”
Other measures they are taking include selling real estate, firing additional personnel, hiring drone detection experts, and purchasing larger cash on firearms from the United States.
The cartel understands that they cannot win in a direct battle with the US military. But now they are labelled as terrorist organizations, so if American fighters appear, they certainly won't make things easier.
“If a helicopter comes here and a soldier drops out, if 20-30 soldiers drop out, there's no way to sit here with their arms crossed,” a member of a cartel told The Times.
Trump used the 25% tariff threat on all goods from Mexico to make the Mexican government fight against the groups that actually caused so many deaths and destruction in the United States, and one of Mexico's oldest and largest Sinaloa cartels was particularly hard hit by the crackdown and ongoing civil war between two rival facts within the organization.
“We can't settle down. A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel told The Times: “The most important thing right now is to survive.”
The pressure from the Trump administration appears to be working to guide Southern neighbors into action. Mexican law enforcement has seized fentanyl over the past five months, just like last year. President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered another 10,000 national security guards to secure the Mexican portion of the border.
The most obvious indication that there is a new sheriff in town is that Mexico will send nearly 30 cartel members to the United States to face justice on alleged crimes. Most defendants could return to life in prison, but some could face the death penalty if convicted.
“As President Trump has revealed, the cartel is a terrorist group, and the Justice Department is dedicated to destroying cartels and cross-border gangs,” Attorney General Pamela Bondy said. I said In a press release. “We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest of the law, paying tribute to brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers and in some cases have given their lives to protect innocent people from the violent cartel tragedy. We will not rest until we have secured American justice.”
It remains to be seen how the cartel will adapt to the current wave of intense pressure from Trump. The cartel has a long history of surviving the imprisonment and death of its leaders, and the parting of their groups.
However, the terrain is different these days. Not only was their drug production a hit, but the business of smuggling illegal immigrants fell to a historic low that allowed border patrol members to work again.
If new deals or guarantees are not made with Mexico, the rates will take effect midnight Tuesday.
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