A suspected leader of the Sinaloa cartel recently stated that President Trump’s strict border measures have complicated illegal operations for Mexican drug trafficking organizations during a CNN interview.
An unnamed associate of El Chapo remarked that Trump’s immigration and drug policies have introduced unexpected challenges to their illicit activities, as reported by David Culver, a senior correspondent at the network.
Culver noted, “From murders to organizing smuggling operations, he claims he was involved in it all,” while posing the question regarding the impact of Trump’s actions. “Do you think what President Trump is doing has made your work even tougher?”
Wearing a black mask, sunglasses, gloves, and a hat for anonymity, the gang member replied, “Yes, yes,” with a clear sense of urgency.
“So it’s really becoming more difficult?” Culver pressed further.
“Yes,” was the gang member’s straightforward confirmation.
According to CNN, cartels are increasingly exploiting migrants trying to cross the U.S. southern border as a result of heightened enforcement against illegal migration.
Prior to Trump’s policies, smugglers reportedly charged around $6,500 per migrant, but that number has surged to approximately $10,000 each. These insights were highlighted in a report mentioned in Fox News.
The hardened individual confessed to committing murder yet maintained a somewhat distorted sense of morality, stating, “I did what I had to do.”
He further explained that he chose to speak with CNN to deter others from joining the drug trade, insisting, “It’s not a life. It’s not good,” adding in broken English, “Once you enter, you can’t go outside,” which he conveyed in Spanish as well.
This individual is not the only one from the Sinaloa cartel to express approval for Trump’s tough stance against human trafficking at the border. Margarito “Jay” Flores Jr., another former cartel member, praised the president’s decisive measures, indicating that they send a strong message to drug traffickers in Latin America and regions like Venezuela, which are often used as transit routes by Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Reports from NBC News echo this sentiment, indicating that the U.S. is preparing for possible military actions against drug traffickers operating in Venezuela.
