U.S. Envoy Salazar Criticizes Mexico Over Drug Cartel Violence

U.S. Envoy Salazar Criticizes Mexico Over Drug Cartel Violence \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar criticized Mexico’s handling of drug cartels, accusing its government of rejecting U.S. aid and downplaying rampant violence. Salazar condemned the “hugs not bullets” strategy and highlighted recent cartel-related violence in Sinaloa. He also blamed corruption and inadequate police funding for the growing insecurity, urging Mexico to accept greater cooperation.

U.S.-Mexico Relations and Cartel Violence: Quick Looks

• Rejected U.S. Aid: Mexico turned down $32 million in U.S.-funded training and equipment programs.
• Sinaloa’s Brutal Violence: Recent cartel infighting left dismembered bodies strewn across roads.
• Policy Failures: Salazar called out the “hugs not bullets” strategy as ineffective against cartels.
• Underfunded Police: Low wages foster corruption and inefficiency in Mexican law enforcement.
• Leadership Under Fire: Both López Obrador and Sheinbaum were criticized for downplaying crime.
• Cartel Infighting: A power struggle within the Sinaloa cartel has fueled recent violence.
• Diplomatic Tensions: The critique comes amid strained U.S.-Mexico relations after Trump’s election win.

Deep Look

Salazar’s Escalating Criticism of Mexico’s Cartel Policies

In one of his strongest rebukes to date, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar denounced Mexico’s failure to address drug cartel violence and corruption. At a Wednesday press conference, Salazar accused Mexico of refusing U.S. assistance while downplaying the escalating crisis.

“Mexico has closed its doors to security cooperation,” Salazar said, lamenting the rejection of $32 million in U.S.-funded programs aimed at training police and modernizing law enforcement. The ambassador criticized the Mexican government’s reluctance to confront cartels directly, labeling its “hugs not bullets” strategy a failure.

A Surge in Violence in Sinaloa

Salazar cited the northern state of Sinaloa as an example of the worsening violence. On Wednesday, state police discovered a grisly scene: mutilated bodies dumped on a roadside. Initial reports confirmed at least five victims, though authorities suspect the body count may rise to seven as they continue to assess the dismembered remains.

State police chief Gerardo Mérida called the situation alarming, stating that bodies had been found in pieces. Yet Ruben Rocha, the state’s governor, downplayed the severity of the crisis, saying earlier in the week, “We’re doing well; we’ll get over this soon.”

Salazar sharply countered Rocha’s remarks, saying, “The dead can be seen everywhere in Sinaloa.” The violence highlights a broader breakdown in law enforcement and public safety across Mexico.

The Failure of “Hugs Not Bullets”

Introduced by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2018, the “hugs not bullets” policy focused on avoiding direct confrontation with cartels. While López Obrador left office on September 30, his successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum, has pledged to continue the approach. However, under Sheinbaum’s administration, the military has adopted a more aggressive stance, engaging in frequent armed clashes with criminal groups.

Salazar was unequivocal in his assessment of the policy: “It did not work.” He emphasized that organized crime continues to thrive, fueled by corruption and underfunded law enforcement. “Police become corrupt because they don’t earn enough to live on,” Salazar said. “You cannot pay a police officer almost nothing and expect them to do their job.”

Cartel Infighting Fuels Violence

The recent surge in violence in Sinaloa is tied to infighting within the Sinaloa cartel. A violent power struggle erupted after two cartel leaders, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, were arrested in the United States on July 25. Guzmán López, a son of the notorious Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, reportedly forced Zambada onto a plane bound for the U.S., sparking a feud between the “Chapitos” faction and Zambada’s loyalists.

This infighting has led to gruesome scenes, including mutilated bodies and brazen public executions, as the rival factions vie for dominance.

Mexico’s Response and U.S. Criticism

Mexico has responded to the arrests by blaming the United States for triggering the violence. Salazar dismissed this argument, stating, “Blaming someone else, blaming the United States, obviously is not the solution.” He also accused the Mexican government of changing how it reports homicide statistics, further obscuring the true scope of the crisis.

“The reality for the Mexican people,” Salazar said, “is that they don’t live with security.” He pointed to a recent killing in Sinaloa, where a prominent cattle rancher was murdered over the weekend, as an example of how deeply the violence has affected ordinary citizens.

Rejection of U.S. Aid

Salazar criticized López Obrador’s decision to reject $32 million in U.S. aid, which was earmarked for training, professionalization, and legal reform of police forces. López Obrador had previously said he did not want U.S. equipment like helicopters and guns, though most of the funding was intended for non-military purposes.

Instead, López Obrador shifted funding away from civilian police forces, giving the military and National Guard the lead role in law enforcement. Salazar warned that this militarized approach has done little to stem the tide of cartel violence, while corruption within the police force remains rampant due to low wages and lack of resources.

Diplomatic and Political Context

Salazar’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations, which may be further strained by Donald Trump’s recent election victory. Trump, known for his aggressive stance on Mexico and border security, has been a vocal critic of the country’s efforts to combat cartels.

While Salazar did not explicitly link his criticisms to Trump’s win, the timing of his comments suggests a potential shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy. Salazar had previously defended many of López Obrador’s policies, making his current critique particularly significant.

A Growing Crisis

The escalating violence and lack of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico pose a serious challenge for both nations. Cartels remain entrenched in Mexican society, wielding significant power over local governments and law enforcement. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations have become increasingly strained, complicating efforts to address the issue collaboratively.

Salazar concluded his remarks with a call for action, urging Mexico to acknowledge the reality of its security crisis and reestablish cooperation with the United States. “Saying there is no problem does not make the problem disappear,” he said.

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