Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is evaluating legal options following allegations by tech billionaire Elon Musk that she is controlled by drug cartels. The dispute emerged after Mexican authorities announced the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The controversy began when Musk responded to a 2025 social media post from President Sheinbaum. In that post, she had rejected a renewed all-out military war on cartels, stating such an approach “is permission to kill without any trial.” Musk replied that she was “saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say,” and warned that cartel punishment for disobedience “is a little worse than a ‘performance improvement plan’.”
Sheinbaum addressed the comments in a video, reiterating her stance against a militarized offensive and calling Musk’s claims “absurd” and “laughable.” Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, she confirmed her legal team is “looking into” potential action. Her administration faces domestic criticism over security policies amid a recent surge in violence.
The killing of Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” occurred in a joint U.S.-Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. CJNG is one of Mexico’s most violent trafficking organizations, designated by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization for its role in shipping fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine to the United States. The operation triggered significant reprisals across Jalisco and at least eight other states, with cartel members blocking roads, setting vehicles and buildings on fire, and looting stores.
Analysts note the violence evokes memories of the 2006 military offensive launched by former President Felipe Calderón. That campaign sparked violent turf wars as cartels splintered, contributing to persistently high homicide rates in Mexico. Sheinbaum has sought to distance her security strategy from Calderón’s, emphasizing intelligence-led operations over large-scale troop deployments. She expects security to “gradually return” and has denied the recent operation signals a reversion to a more aggressive military stance.
The unrest has raised practical concerns, including the security outlook for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host. The episode highlights the tense intersection of international commentary, domestic security policy, and the persistent challenge of organized crime in Mexico.
