Trump Hunts Cartel, Mexican President Ensures No US Military Intervention

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (center)/PHOTO via Instagram @claudia_shein

JAKARTA - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said US military members would not enter Mexico after news reports said Washington might take action to fight drug cartels.

Earlier on Friday, August 8, The New York Times reported US President Donald Trump had signed a directive to the Pentagon to start using military force against several Latin American drug cartels.

Reported by Reuters, Sheinbaum said his government had been notified of an upcoming order but it had nothing to do with US military operations on Mexican soil.

The United States (US) Treasury Department previously announced sanctions against assets of four individuals linked to Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste, including popular hip-hop artist El Makabelico.

The Treasury Department said the sanctions targeted three "high-level members" of the del Noreste Cartel (Northeast Kartel), denominations from Los Zetas, and Ricardo Hernandez, 34-year-old musician known as El Makabelico who has millions of followers on social media.

The US Treasury Department said El Makabelico concerts and events were used to launder money on behalf of the organization, "with 50 percent of royalties from streaming platforms directly into the group.

A YouTube spokesperson said the platform had "discontinued channels related to the sanctions announced" by the US Treasury Department.

"YouTube is committed to complying with the applicable US sanctions law," the statement said.

Meanwhile, a Spotify spokesperson explained the company was reviewing the decision and would comply with its legal obligations.

DEL Records, which Hernandez listed as his label on social media, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Ministry of Finance identified three other individuals as Abdon Rodriguez, Antonio Romero, and Francisco Esqueda.

Washington says the sanctioned individuals have played an important role in cartel activities, including drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.

The Ministry of Finance also said it had imposed sanctions on the two "high-ranking members" of the cartel in May.

The cartel is among the cartels that in February were designated a global terrorist organization by President Donald Trump's administration.

"The Ministry of Finance will continue to be persistent in its efforts to prioritize America by targeting terrorist drug cartels. These cartels poisoned Americans with fentanyl and carried out human smuggling operations along our southwestern border," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The del Noreste cartel is considered one of Mexico's most violent drug trafficking organizations and has significant influence along the US-Mexico border, particularly in Laredo, Texas.