In 2007, Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderón, launched a “war on drugs” to combat violence and regain control over situations that the cartel had created. Since then, thousands of people have been reported missing in Mexico and the cartel wars have continued to expand and intensify.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimated that cartels have controlled about one third of Mexico’s territory as of 2024. One of Mexico’s most violent criminal figures and leader of one of the country’s most powerful cartels, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, (informally known as “El Mencho”), was killed on February 22, 2026. His death immediately amplified the violence of the cartel wars that have been occurring in Mexico for over a decade. This incident has created a widespread outbreak of violence throughout the country and affected not only Mexico’s economic state, societal expectations, and political state, but also impacted Mexico’s relationship with other countries.
The Mexican government recently made a claim that the United States assisted them in the operation against El Mencho by providing intelligence that aided the procedure. However, this statement was rebutted by U.S. officials who argued that this operation was fully organized by Mexico and that American troops had nothing to do with this attack. President Donald Trump has put lots of pressure on Mexico to eliminate the cartel induced violence and threatened to take military action if nothing is done about the country’s current treacherous state.
All across the country, roads have been blocked, supermarkets and cars have been set on fire, banks have been robbed, and violence has ensued everywhere. A notable act of hostility occurred when the Puerto Vallarta Airport was hijacked. Over 250 “narco blockades” were placed alongside important transport arteries and roads to create physical barriers that prevent any and all travel.
As of right now, the predetermination of the drug wars in Mexico are unknown as violent protests and retaliation continue in various states throughout the country. The Mexican government’s legitimacy and strength have been threatened by drug trafficking groups for decades and if the current strife continues, Mexico’s relationships with other countries will suffer due to lack of trust and dependability which will create a negative lasting impact on the economy, government, and society.
