Sinaloa Cartel Targets US Border Patrol Agents

Members of the Sinaloa drug cartel have reportedly been given permission to fire at U.S. Border Patrol agents following the arrests of key leaders, including cofounder Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, on July 25. An internal memo warned agents in the El Paso sector about this escalation, which comes after contractors in Eagle Pass, Texas, reported being shot at. Former Homeland Security Investigation agent Victor Avila stated that the cartel no longer fears U.S. law enforcement and possesses the resources to act violently. The cartel's internal power struggle has led to increased violence, claiming over 190 lives in Sinaloa, with violence now spilling over into the U.S. The situation is contributing to growing pressure on the Biden administration regarding border security. Rep. Mark Green emphasized the need for policies that better protect Border Patrol agents from cartel aggression.