Mexican President is under fire

Today we’re breaking down how major Mexican criminal organizations—often called “cartels”—are harming, and in some cases killing, U.S. citizens.
We’ll cover:

What these groups are

How they kill Americans directly and indirectly

The scale of the problem

What the U.S. is doing about it

How you can stay safe

Let’s get into it.

A — Who We Mean by “Cartels”

When we say cartels, we’re talking about large Mexican transnational criminal organizations involved in drugs, kidnapping, extortion, human smuggling, and money laundering.

In 2025, the U.S. government expanded the tools it uses against these groups—using authorities normally reserved for terrorist organizations.
That means more sanctions, more financial targeting, and more ways to go after cartel leaders and their networks.

B — How Cartels Kill Americans
1. Direct Violence

Americans traveling or living in Mexico can be caught in cartel violence—kidnappings, robberies, or shootings.
Investigations and media reporting show hundreds of U.S. citizens have been killed or gone missing in Mexico in recent years, especially in regions where cartels fight for territory.

2. Indirect Deaths: Fentanyl

By far the biggest death toll comes from fentanyl.
Mexican cartel networks dominate the production and trafficking of illicit fentanyl that ends up in the U.S.
Tens of thousands of Americans die each year from synthetic-opioid overdoses—many linked to counterfeit pills or powders contaminated with fentanyl.

C — Scale and Trends

Synthetic-opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. are in the tens of thousands per year.

Americans killed or missing in Mexico number in the hundreds over short multi-year periods.

Border seizures of fentanyl have surged, showing increased production and more sophisticated smuggling networks.

D — U.S. Government Response

New 2025 executive actions allow the U.S. to treat some cartel factions like terrorist organizations for the purpose of sanctions and financial targeting.

Treasury, DOJ, DEA, FBI, and DHS are working with Mexico on extraditions, investigations, and shutting down money flows.

High-profile cartel members have been extradited or sanctioned as part of these efforts.

E — How Americans Actually End Up Killed
Travelers

Americans in cartel-controlled regions may be mistaken for rivals, get caught in gunfights, or be targeted for ransom.

Back in the U.S.

Most U.S. deaths connected to cartels come from fentanyl overdoses, not shootings.
You can’t tell what’s in a street pill—many fake “Percocet,” “Xanax,” or “Oxycodone” pills contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.

F — Important Nuance

Not every overdose can be traced to a specific cartel shipment.

Death certificates list the drug—not the supply chain—so agencies rely on trafficking intelligence to map responsibility.

Calling cartels “terrorist organizations” is politically sensitive and affects U.S.–Mexico cooperation.

G — How to Stay Safe

Do not buy or use illicit drugs. Counterfeit pills are a major source of fentanyl deaths.

If you or someone you know uses opioids, carry naloxone and know how to use it.

Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before visiting Mexico. Danger varies a lot by state and region.

For kidnapping or missing-person cases in Mexico, contact the nearest U.S. Consulate immediately.

Follow trusted sources like the DEA, State Department, and mainstream reporting—not sensational claims.