Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected assertions made by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that her government maintains a deadly connection with Mexico’s powerful criminal cartels.

During a daily news conference on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, Sheinbaum described the DEA’s remarks as "more like a political statement than one backed by evidence." The comments came after DEA Administrator Terry Cole stated on Tuesday that the Mexican government and cartel networks were "one and the same."

Sheinbaum also criticized the US for indicting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha earlier in April, amid allegations that his campaign collaborated with the Sinaloa Cartel to influence the 2021 gubernatorial election through violence. Sheinbaum said no evidence had been presented to support these claims.

Her remarks coincided with an announcement from the US Department of the Treasury designating two additional Mexican criminal organizations—the Juarez Cartel and Los Viagras—as "foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists."

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Mexico and the US regarding the handling and characterization of cartel-related corruption and violence.

Sources