Mexico Rejects DEA Chief's Claims of Government-Cartel Nexus

Mexico's government has strongly refuted allegations made by the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, who claimed a "mortal connection" exists between Mexican cartels and the government, asserting they are "the same."

In a statement, Mexico's Security Cabinet declared Cole's assertions to be baseless and contrary to the country's publicly verifiable achievements in combating organized crime. The Cabinet emphasized that since President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration began on October 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, authorities have arrested 59,582 individuals. This includes members of all criminal organizations and over 80 public servants and former officials linked to illicit activities, demonstrating that "no one is protected" in Mexico.

During the same period, Mexican authorities seized 31,366 firearms and 498 tons of drugs, including over 2.3 tons and 5.5 million pills of fentanyl. Additionally, 2,627 clandestine laboratories for methamphetamine production were shut down. The government also highlighted a 48% decrease in daily intentional homicides between September 2024 and June 2026.

The Mexican government's National Security Strategy is founded on a "zero impunity" policy, involving intelligence, investigation, and coordination between federal and state authorities. They also pointed to bilateral cooperation with the U.S. leading to the apprehension of high-priority targets requested by U.S. authorities.

Cole's remarks were made during the 'Fentanyl Free America' conference in Florida, where he identified combating cartels and their facilitators as the DEA's top priority, citing their alleged links with Mexican officials. These accusations surface amid increasing security-related tensions between Mexico and the United States, particularly following U.S. requests for the extradition of several officials from Sinaloa.