Musk's Accusation and Sheinbaum's Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday that her government is assessing potential legal action against Elon Musk. The billionaire made unsubstantiated claims linking her to drug cartels in a post on X, prompted by a resurfaced 2025 video where Sheinbaum addressed cartel violence and opposed reverting to militarized strategies.
In the video, Sheinbaum declared, 'Returning to the war against the narco is not an option. First, because it is outside the framework of the law.' An X user questioned if she was a 'cartel plant,' to which Musk replied that she was echoing her cartel bosses' instructions, adding a grim note on their enforcement methods.
She’s just saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say. Let’s just say that their punishment for disobedience is a little worse than ‘a performance improvement plan.’
Context of the Cartel Leader's Death
Musk's post came after Mexican security forces captured and killed Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The operation, supported by U.S. intelligence, led to roadblocks and arson attacks in parts of Mexico.
Sheinbaum dismissed suggestions that this indicated a shift to more aggressive security measures, stating, 'The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war.'
Historical Background and Broader Criticism
Mexico's cartel violence escalated following a 2006 military offensive under former President Felipe Calderon, resulting in splintered gangs and sustained high homicide rates. Over 130,000 people remain missing, much of the violence tied to cartels supplying U.S. drug markets and sourcing firearms from across the border.
MORENA party president Luisa Alcalde condemned Musk's remarks, calling for him to focus on drug consumption, addiction, disinformation, and narco culture promotion. She asserted, 'Wealth does not give moral authority. The lives that are lost in this fight, often fueled by consumption in other countries, are worth infinitely more than any fortune amassed in Silicon Valley.'
