The southern border is currently under siege. Cartels are making things difficult for border agents.The Sinaloa cartel allows its members to shoot at Border Patrol agents. Changes in cartel behavior have been linked to the arrests of senior leaders and internal conflicts.
Cartel’s Dangerous New Directive
An internal memo sent to US Customs and Border Protection’s El Paso sector revealed a chilling development: the Sinaloa cartel has given its members permission to shoot at Border Patrol agents. The arrests of senior cartel leaders, including Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, have led to an alarming change in behavior. The change represents a significant shift from the cartel’s previous strategy of avoiding violent confrontations with US law enforcement in order to avoid severe retaliation.
The new directive has put Border Patrol agents on high alert, with warnings to be extra cautious and not assume cartel members will refrain from using deadly force. This increase in tensions highlights the cartel’s growing boldness as well as the increasing dangers faced by US law enforcement personnel operating along the border.
Sinaloa cartel weighing what is “bad for business?” https://t.co/6FcecNJC84
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) October 17, 2024
Internal Strife and Power Struggles
The Sinaloa cartel’s tactical shift is not occurring in isolation. It is closely related to the organization’s internal conflicts and power struggles. A civil war has erupted among younger cartel leaders, resulting in increased violence and the collapse of the previous order. Sinaloa’s internal strife has claimed the lives of over 190 people as various factions vie for control.
Cartels have set up blockades in Culiacán, Sinaloa, as the situation has deteriorated. At these checkpoints, they search drivers’ phones for contacts associated with opposing factions, which frequently results in violence. This escalation of aggression is not limited to internal conflicts; it now directly threatens US border enforcement efforts.
Sinaloa Cartel leaders permit members to shoot at US Border Patrol agents: report
Border Patrol agents in western Texas were warned they may come under cartel gunfire as Sinaloa Cartel leaders permit members to shoot at the US officers after its cofounder’s July arrest,… pic.twitter.com/l8eaQNIX2S
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) October 21, 2024
Implications for Border Security
The Sinaloa cartel’s new aggressive stance presents significant challenges for US border security efforts. Customs and Border Protection is taking these threats seriously and working to protect both employees and migrants in the area. The discovery of military-grade weapons near the border has raised further concerns about the possibility of deadly encounters.
“The No. 1 reason they fight for these plazas is because these plazas are the corridors to enter the United States, whether California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and that’s the major fight because the Sinaloa cartel has controlled that whole area.”
The cartels rely heavily on these border control points. They are critical smuggling routes into the United States, and the Sinaloa cartel’s willingness to engage in direct conflict with US law enforcement demonstrates their determination to keep control of these vital corridors.
Broader Impact on the Region
The escalating violence and instability caused by the cartel’s internal conflicts and aggressive tactics are having far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate border area. The ongoing conflict is severely impacting public security, human rights, economic activities, and the socio-emotional health of communities in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, there are growing calls for a more robust response to the cartel threat. Former President Donald Trump has suggested the need for a military operation, citing the cartels’ increasing power and wealth. However, any potential military involvement would need to be carefully considered, given the complex nature of cross-border operations and international relations.
