The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel had spent decades evading justice. He was brought down in an operation in the mountains of Jalisco that has sparked a violent reaction in various states across the country
I think the US actually probably pressured the Mexican government to take action here, Trump’s administration has a very different policy to cartels (non state armed actors in CIA language) than previous presidents.
I think Trump is a lot like Bush with Calderón (who fucked up the entire situation during the 2000s), but like 200% more aggressive.
Mexico’s government has also been afraid to take heavy handed action against the cartels like this because of the cycle of violence it unleashes with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire (which we are seeing now, it’s a very valid fear given how powerful the cartels have gotten).
Yes.
I don’t doubt that the CIA did drug and gun running in the past involving the cartels, but a “decapitation” operation like this against a cartel leader suggests US co-operation, intelligence sharing, etc.
The DEA and FBI have been “cooperating” and sharing information with Latin American police and military forces since at least the late 1980s. It is usually the CIA that has deep ties to the cartels and helps them organize with weapons and information (of course, there are DEA and FBI agents who also work with the cartels, but this is usually less noticeable than in the case of the CIA). I believe that the United States probably provided the Mexican government with the information and the “blessing” to kill this cartel leader (also as a show of force by the United States to show that they “still control” Mexico, and how much Trump is “against” drugs).
I think Trump is a lot like Bush with Calderón (who fucked up the entire situation during the 2000s), but like 200% more aggressive.
Yes.
The DEA and FBI have been “cooperating” and sharing information with Latin American police and military forces since at least the late 1980s. It is usually the CIA that has deep ties to the cartels and helps them organize with weapons and information (of course, there are DEA and FBI agents who also work with the cartels, but this is usually less noticeable than in the case of the CIA). I believe that the United States probably provided the Mexican government with the information and the “blessing” to kill this cartel leader (also as a show of force by the United States to show that they “still control” Mexico, and how much Trump is “against” drugs).