The Bunker – News without the nonsense MAGA vs. the cartels: Is Trump's war on Mexico's gangs backfiring?
Jun 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, David Shirk, a political science expert at the University of San Diego, dissects the complicated relationship between MAGA politics and Mexico’s fight against drug cartels. He explores the impact of Trump's chaotic policies on organized crime and evaluates high-tech crackdowns employed by President Sheinbaum. Additionally, Shirk highlights the challenges facing democracy in Mexico, the evolution of U.S.-Mexico cooperation in combating cartels, and Mexico's rich culture that persists despite ongoing violence.
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Judicial Elections Threaten Democracy
- Mexico elected all its judges from Supreme Court down, threatening judicial independence.
- This move is seen as a power grab by the ruling party, weakening checks and balances.
Nature of Mexican Cartels
- Mexican cartels are criminal groups dominating illicit drug markets, not just price-fixing organizations.
- Violence results from unregulated competition and conflict resolution through force rather than law.
High Human Cost of Cartel Violence
- Cartel violence causes tens of thousands of homicides annually in Mexico over 20 years.
- The violence and corruption cast a shadow over Mexico's social and economic potential.