On Sunday, a mayoral candidate in Veracruz, Mexico, was fatally shot alongside three others during a campaign march; the attack was livestreamed on Facebook. The shooting, which involved approximately 20 gunshots, killed the Morena party candidate and injured three more. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the incident and pledged federal support to the investigation. Authorities are actively investigating the motive and vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against political figures in Mexico.
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A recent FinCEN report details how the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels launder billions of dollars through U.S. casinos and other financial institutions, primarily using proceeds from fentanyl trafficking. Nearly 1,300 suspicious activity reports were filed in 2024, with a significant portion involving depository institutions and money services businesses. The cartels utilize various methods, including wire transfers, cash smuggling, and complex international trade schemes involving Chinese businesses to obscure the origins of their illicit funds. These schemes often leverage front companies, money mules, and U.S.-based intermediaries to facilitate the laundering process.
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President Sheinbaum firmly rejected potential U.S. drone strikes targeting Mexican cartels, emphasizing Mexico’s non-subordinate stance and its commitment to collaboration, not interference. While agreeing to increased intelligence gathering flights, Sheinbaum underscored that unilateral military action would severely damage U.S.-Mexico relations and hinder cooperation on crucial issues like immigration and drug smuggling. Experts warn such strikes could provoke strong domestic backlash in Mexico, potentially leading to severed diplomatic ties. This opposition comes despite recent increased cooperation and Mexico’s own stepped-up efforts against cartels.
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The U.S. intelligence community’s Annual Threat Assessment identifies Mexican cartels as the primary source of fentanyl and other illicit drugs entering the U.S., primarily through the U.S.-Mexico border. The report, presented by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, does not mention Canada as a significant source despite President Trump’s claims. While China and India supply fentanyl precursors, the report focuses on the most extreme threats, deeming Mexico the greatest source of concern. Despite White House assertions to the contrary, data on fentanyl seizures at the northern border does not definitively establish Canadian origins.
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As I sit here reading about the recent murder of a Mexican mayor, decapitated and left with his head on the car roof, I can’t help but feel a mixture of sadness and anger. The fact that he was killed just days after starting his job is a stark reminder of the dangerous reality that many public officials in Mexico face on a daily basis. It’s truly horrifying to think about the level of violence and brutality that exists in certain parts of the country, where drug cartels wield immense power and instill fear in entire communities.
The leaked video showing the former mayor from the opposition party allegedly colluding with the cartel to get the newly-elected mayor out of power is a chilling reminder of the extent to which these criminal organizations have infiltrated the political landscape in Mexico.… Continue reading
It’s absolutely mind-boggling to hear the Mexican president claim that criminal groups are ‘respectful’ and ‘respect the citizenry’. The sheer audacity and disconnect from reality is startling. How can anyone in a position of leadership make such statements, especially when the brutal actions of these criminal organizations are well-documented?
The notion that these cartels, who thrive on fear, violence, and corruption, have any modicum of respect is not just naive but dangerous. They operate with impunity, slaughtering people, trafficking drugs, and terrorizing communities. The very idea that they somehow ‘respect’ anyone is a slap in the face to all those who have suffered at their hands.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker