Sinaloa Cartel Leader Admits Trump's Crackdown Disrupts Smuggling Operations

An anonymous senior leader of the Sinaloa Cartel acknowledged in a CNN interview that President Trump's aggressive border and immigration policies have significantly disrupted cartel operations, making smuggling riskier and more costly. The cartel member, who has admitted to various violent crimes, stated that Trump's enforcement efforts have cut off or heavily monitored major smuggling routes, forcing traffickers into more dangerous corridors and increasing the fees charged to migrants from about $6,500 to nearly $10,000. Despite his criminal background, the trafficker expressed a desire to deter others from joining the cartel, warning that life inside the organization is harmful and inescapable. This admission aligns with remarks from other cartel affiliates who have praised the administration's robust approach to combating drug and human trafficking at the southern border. The increased enforcement has also resulted in many migrants falling into debt with cartels due to higher crossing costs, highlighting the broader social impact of the crackdown. Overall, these insider acknowledgments underscore the tangible impact of President Trump's policies on curbing cartel activities along the U.S.-Mexico border.