On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, during the closing press conference of the G7 summit in France, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his controversial claim that drug cartels are running Mexico. He also stated that Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, “is very scared.”

Trump lamented that the Mexican government has lost control over its own territory, emphasizing, “The cartels totally control Mexico.” Despite acknowledging Sheinbaum as “a very good woman,” he suggested she is intimidated by the cartels’ power.

This statement comes amid ongoing friction between the U.S. and Sheinbaum’s administration regarding the presence of American troops conducting ground operations against cartels within Mexico.

Trump highlighted a significant 97% reduction in drug trafficking via maritime routes since he took office, explaining that the U.S. will now focus on land-based drug trafficking routes. This shift was first announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, when Trump warned Mexico that the U.S. strategy against fentanyl would prioritize land operations.

He said, “I hate to have to tell Mexico this, but now we focus on entry by land because the sea was more difficult. A lot came by sea.” Trump asserted that those trafficking drugs by sea will no longer succeed, citing recent data as proof.

For migrants and Mexican expatriates, these developments underscore the complex and often tense relationship between the two countries in addressing drug-related violence and security. Meanwhile, Mexico continues to explore innovative infrastructure projects like Puebla’s cable car system, which could offer safer, more inclusive urban mobility options amid broader social challenges.