On Wednesday, Vance declared during a visit to Eagle Pass, the twin city of Piedras Negras, that Trump is doing Mexico a favor by pressuring with tariffs. According to him, if the cartels are not controlled, the country could become a narco state. Narco politics is the strategy that, according to Vance, Trump and his administration are using.
Mayor Sheinbaum has firmly rejected Trump's claims of an alleged alliance between the Mexican government and the cartels, but has not taken any further action beyond the denial. However, the belief in this theory by Trump's circle will continue to be a source of tension for Sheinbaum.
In Mexico, opinions are divided on whether the tariffs and the cartels are connected or not. The unpredictable way Trump addresses international politics has given the country a respite regarding the imposition of tariffs.
Regarding the accusations of collusion between Mexican politicians and the cartels, cases like Manuel Bartlett and Ricardo Monreal are mentioned, although no concrete actions have been taken by Mexican authorities in this regard.
People like Marcelo Ebrard and Mario Delgado have also been mentioned in relation to drug cartels. There are reports of illegal funding from oil theft for gubernatorial campaigns in various Mexican states.
The White House has labeled Mexico as a "narco state," something never seen before, and there have been frequent references to an alleged alliance between the Mexican government and the cartels. The narrative attempting to deflect the accusation to previous governments is intense but ineffective.
The presidency of López Obrador has also been mentioned in trials in the United States for allegedly receiving money from cartels. Other figures in the current administration have also been implicated in this regard.
Trump and his administration have spoken on several occasions about Mexico and the cartels, which has generated tensions. Although not all accusations are judicialized, there are investigations in the United States regarding these issues.
