Mexico City\u2019s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo criticized the involvement of US agencies in Mexico\u2019s security operations, pointing to a recent incident involving the capture of Ismael \u201cEl Mayo\u201d Zambada as a clear example of how foreign interference can escalate violence. Speaking during her press conference on Friday, July 10, 2026, Sheinbaum argued that agreements made by the US Department of Justice with one criminal group against another within the Sinaloa Cartel have fueled internal betrayals and violence.<\/p>\n
Sheinbaum highlighted that the transfer of El Mayo Zambada to the United States\u2014allegedly facilitated by another cartel member, Joaqu\u00edn Guzm\u00e1n L\u00f3pez, with US participation\u2014triggered a violent split inside the cartel. She emphasized that such unilateral actions violate Mexico\u2019s sovereignty and worsen security challenges.<\/p>\n
The president called for improved collaboration between Mexican and US authorities, stressing that cooperation should be legal, transparent, and inclusive of all 32 Mexican states without political bias. She cited Chihuahua as an example, where despite controversy over CIA involvement, homicide rates remain high, underscoring the limits of unilateral foreign operations.<\/p>\n
Sheinbaum also referenced past experiences, including the administration of Felipe Calder\u00f3n, warning that alliances with one criminal faction against another only deepen violence. \u201cCalder\u00f3n protected the Sinaloa Cartel against other groups, which provoked more violence,\u201d she said, distancing her government from such tactics.<\/p>\n
While affirming that key cartel figures like El Mayo Zambada and Joaqu\u00edn \u201cEl Chapo\u201d Guzm\u00e1n and his sons should be detained based on evidence, Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico\u2019s approach relies on respecting sovereignty and joint efforts. She pointed to a 70% reduction in fentanyl trafficking into the US since her administration began, attributing this success to coordinated intelligence sharing and mutual respect.<\/p>\n
Sheinbaum also questioned the FBI\u2019s public display of the plane used in the operation to capture El Mayo Zambada, interpreting it as proof of US interference without informing Mexican authorities. She noted conflicting accounts about how the cartel leaders were apprehended\u2014one suggesting a chance encounter at the border, the other implying a coordinated FBI operation\u2014calling for the Mexican Attorney General\u2019s office to investigate potential legal violations.<\/p>\n
Although she has not yet raised the issue directly with the US president, Sheinbaum said discussions are underway through Mexico\u2019s Attorney General and the US Department of Justice, leaving open the possibility of future diplomatic talks.<\/p>\n
Her remarks reflect ongoing tensions over cross-border security cooperation and highlight the delicate balance between fighting organized crime and respecting national sovereignty\u2014an issue that resonates deeply with Mexico\u2019s diverse population, including migrants and international residents seeking transparent and just governance.<\/p>\n