Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, is taking a strong stand against drug cartels and organized crime, showing a new level of determination to protect her country. Unlike her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who focused on tackling the root causes of crime with his “hugs not bullets” philosophy, Sheinbaum is prioritizing a tougher stance.
One of her first big moves? Sending security chief Omar García Harfuch, along with thousands of troops, to Sinaloa to combat escalating violence. This is the biggest military deployment in years, aimed at stopping a bloody turf war between rival factions of the infamous Sinaloa cartel. The violence spiked after the arrest of cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leading to deadly clashes between gunmen loyal to different leaders.
But Sheinbaum isn’t stopping there. She’s also pushing to reduce killings in Mexico’s most dangerous cities like Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, as well as cracking down on fentanyl trafficking—one of the deadliest drugs in the country. In fact, authorities recently seized a massive amount of fentanyl pills in what’s considered the largest bust in history.
While Sheinbaum’s tougher tactics might bring results, they also come with risks, potentially stirring up even more violence. But with the U.S. increasing pressure, including threats of military action, Sheinbaum’s new approach might be Mexico’s best hope for peace.
Will her bold strategy succeed? Only time will tell.
