Mexico Has Become a Shadow Narco State at War with the United States

Executive Summary

• Mexico has increasingly exhibited characteristics of a shadow narco-state, effectively waging a silent war against the United States through its cartel activities.

• This covert conflict is characterized by deep-seated corruption, a powerful grip of drug cartels on the nation’s political and social fabric, and the catastrophic impacts on American lives.

Corruption at the Highest Levels

A glaring example of this corruption is the allegation against former President Enrique Peña Nieto, who was accused of accepting a $100 million bribe from Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the notorious leader of the Sinaloa Cartel .

This scandal underscores a longstanding issue: Mexican presidents and high-ranking officials have been suspected of making secret deals with drug lords, perpetuating a cycle of corruption and impunity.

It is crucial to scrutinize how much current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador may have benefited from similar arrangements, especially considering his administration's perceived leniency towards cartel activities.

The relationship between the Mexican government and the cartels has evolved to the point where these criminal organizations function as a de facto terrorist wing of the state. This collusion is evident in the unchecked violence and widespread influence cartels have over Mexican society. The cartels' involvement in heinous activities, such as operating child sex slave markets and committing rampant violence, further solidifies their role as domestic terrorists.

Mexico is Killing Americans

Mexican cartels make the market for Fentanyl and Heroin in the United States. The impact of Mexican cartels on American society is staggering. With over 100,000 American lives lost annually due to drug overdoses and violence linked to cartel activities, the death toll surpasses that of all U.S. wars combined . This staggering loss of life highlights the severity of the threat posed by these criminal organizations.

A Nation in the Grip of Cartels

The pervasive influence of cartels is such that an estimated one in five Mexicans is employed by these criminal enterprises. This statistic illustrates the extent to which the entire governmental apparatus of Mexico is entangled with and reliant upon cartel operations. The cartels' dominance and the government's complicity make it clear that the shadow government of Mexico is deeply rooted in criminal activity.

Clear and Present Danger

Given the infiltration of cartels into every layer of Mexican society and their direct threat to American lives, it is evident that Mexico is engaged in an undeclared war with the United States. The border crisis, fueled by cartel operations, represents an invasion that requires a robust response from the United States to defend itself from this ongoing attack.

In conclusion, the collusion between Mexican political leaders and cartels, the extensive corruption, and the devastating impact on American lives all point to a dire reality: Mexico, under the control of cartel influence, is at war with the United States. The U.S. must acknowledge this threat and take decisive action to protect its citizens from the shadow government operating just beyond its southern border.

Resources: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/mexico-cartels-fifth-largest-employer-study