Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday that her administration is contemplating legal action against billionaire Elon Musk after he suggested, without evidence, that she has connections to drug cartels. This came in the wake of the murder of a prominent cartel leader.
Musk’s remarks were made on X, coinciding with the reemergence of a 2025 video where Sheinbaum discusses cartel violence, explicitly stating that a return to military actions was not a viable solution. “Going back to the war on drugs is not an option, firstly because it is outside the law,” she remarked in that video.
A user on X had shared the video, questioning, “She’s a cartel factory, right?” Musk replied with sarcasm, insinuating that the government’s actions are dictated by cartel leaders: “Let’s just say their punishment for disobedience is a little worse than a ‘performance improvement plan.'”
In her daily press conference, Sheinbaum addressed Musk’s comments, indicating that the government was exploring its legal options. “We are considering whether to take legal action,” she stated, while noting that lawyers were reviewing the situation.
Musk’s controversial statement followed the operation where security forces captured and killed Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. This operation reportedly triggered roadblocks and arson across various regions in Mexico.
Analysts suggest that the military offensive begun by former President Felipe Calderon in 2006 fragmented gangs and intensified violent turf wars, contributing to Mexico’s consistently high homicide rates. When asked if the operation against Oseguera represented a shift towards a more aggressive security strategy, Sheinbaum dismissed that notion.
She emphasized that while detaining suspects may lead to violent reactions, the goal remains to achieve peace rather than provoke further conflict. Luisa Alcalde, head of the ruling MORENA party, also criticized Musk’s comments, urging his platform to focus on addressing drug consumption, addiction, misinformation, and the drug culture.
“Wealth does not confer moral authority,” Alcalde stated. “The lives lost in this fight, often for consumption in other countries, are infinitely more valuable than any wealth hoarded in Silicon Valley.”
Currently, over 130,000 individuals are reported missing in Mexico, a significant portion of the violence is linked to drug cartels operating across the U.S. border.
