Trump Doesn't Care About Drug Trafficking

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

It has become common to hear that, for Trump to be on favorable terms with Mexico, we must attack drug trafficking. Controlling organized crime, it is said, is Trump's main objective.

The problem with these assertions is that, while they align with Trump's rhetoric, they don't match his actions. What Trump's actions reveal is that the US president doesn't care about drug trafficking.

Let's start with the obvious. If Trump truly wanted to destroy organized crime and reduce fentanyl overdose deaths, he would start by fighting within the main stronghold of global drug trafficking and its main source of income: the United States itself.

Not only is this not happening, but several Trump policies are openly geared in the opposite direction.

Trump has facilitated the sale of weapons within the United States (many of which end up in the hands of drug traffickers), has cut billions of dollars from state health services budgets (reducing addiction treatment), has reduced housing support for homeless people (which is expected to further increase addictions), and, in the height of cynicism, has pardoned convicted drug traffickers (such as former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández). 

Trump's true interest, as it was in Venezuela and as it is in almost all his actions, is economic.

Drug trafficking is merely an excuse that Trump is using to extract all kinds of economic concessions from Mexico, from a more favorable negotiation of the USMCA to special favors for American industries or companies.

The drug trafficking excuse is perfect for Trump because the problem cannot be solved from Mexico. It doesn't matter how much Mexico does. It doesn't matter how many people it arrests or how many drugs it confiscates; drug trafficking will continue as long as the United States has a multi-million dollar market of captive consumers. Just yesterday, El País reported that a new Chapo has emerged in Sinaloa. Drug trafficking is, in Trumpian terms, the best bargaining chip Trump could have found. It's an issue that will keep Mexico running in circles, constantly giving in without ever reaching a solution. It must be acknowledged that Trump's idea of ​​finding and using this excuse is diabolically brilliant.

For all these reasons, it is urgent that Mexican negotiators stop making decisions based on what Trump says he wants and start making them based on what Trump reveals as his true preferences through his actions.

If the goal is for Trump to be on better terms with Mexico, the focus, rather than on security matters, should be on economic issues.

That is, Mexico should maintain certain visible actions against drug trafficking, but it should focus the majority of its resources and talent on developing a strategy that helps Trump fight his most desired economic battle: competing with China. To the extent that Trump sees Mexico as indispensable in waging this economic battle, Mexico will be protected against the volatility of the United States.

Sources: Milenio,   Borderland Beat Archives

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Ivonne Daniela and Michel Are Found Murdered in Culiacán

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The incident occurred at 7:10 p.m. on Amapola Street

Authorities are conducting the corresponding investigations.

On Friday night, January 16, the bodies of two women were found in the Juntas de Humaya neighborhood in Culiacán.

According to initial reports, at approximately 7:10 p.m., a call was received at the emergency number reporting gunshots on Amapola Street, near the corner of Alley number 3.

Following the report, security forces went to the scene and, upon arrival, confirmed the discovery of two young women with gunshot wounds, who showed no signs of life.

According to information released by security sources, one of the women was identified as Ivonne Daniela "N", who was said to be around 18 years old, while the other victim was named Michel "N". According to unofficial reports, she was a minor and approximately 14 years old.

The area was cordoned off to preserve the crime scene, while personnel from the Attorney General's Office carried out the corresponding procedures. Subsequently, the bodies were transferred to the Forensic Medical Service facilities. 

The Juntas de Humaya neighborhood in Culiacán.

Sources: El Sol de Sinaloa, Los Noticieristas

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Criminal cell linked to the CJNG dismantled in Zapopan, Jalisco. Criminals linked to Francisco Javier Gudiño Haro "El Plumas" Leader of the 'CJNG' Cartel in Guadalajara and Zapopan.

 BY: CHAR 

THIS ARTICLE WAS POSTED BY INFORMADOR MX AND WRITTEN BY: RUBI BOBADILLA

The arrests took place inside a house located in the Las Cañadas neighborhood of the municipality of Zapopan.

Coordinated actions by federal forces in the municipality of Zapopan, Jalisco, led to the arrest of a man identified as one of the main perpetrators of violence in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, allegedly working for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, as well as two other men found in possession of firearms and suspected drugs.

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Two Members of Los Chapos Faction Killed in Ensenada

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

In two separate incidents in Ensenada, Jesús Romo, alias El Norris, and El Chakyn, both operators of a faction of Los Chapos dedicated to transporting goods between Baja California and Baja California Sur, were murdered.

El Norris was attacked at around 10:20 a.m. last Thursday, when gunshots were reported at the intersection of Lázaro Cárdenas and Primera streets, in the Ex Ejido Chapultepec neighbourhood, in front of an Oxxo store.

Two days later, Efraín Valadez, alias El Chakin, was shot dead on Emilio Abreu Street, in the San Borja neighbourhood, specifically in the parking lot of a Seven Eleven store.

The victim was taken to a police vehicle with the intention of transferring him to a hospital for medical attention; however, he was pronounced dead during the journey. The State Attorney General's Office (FGE) is in charge of the investigation.

Efraín Valadez, alias El Chakin

Ensenada, Baja California 

Source: Zeta Tijuana

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The Disappearance of Young People is Increasing in Río Bravo

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The number easily exceeds 200 people of different ages, mainly young men and women, in Río Bravo.

The number of people reported missing is unfortunately growing, and their personal information and photographs, which are becoming increasingly numerous, are being displayed in the corridors of the People's House.

The number easily exceeds 200 people of various ages, mainly young men and women, from the local area and surrounding municipalities, mostly from Reynosa and Matamoros, among others.

In some cases, based on information provided by their families, who are seeking help from the general public, they have been reported missing for several months; in other cases, for years.  These are people who left their homes and never returned or were seen again, and their families are still searching for them.

In the state, according to reports from the Lupa Network, as of May 2025, there are 13,468 people registered as missing, placing the state as the third with the most cases in the country, with the majority concentrated in the neighboring city of Reynosa.

Río Bravo, Tamaulipas 

Source: El Mañana

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Mexican Style Crime - Five Severed Heads with Narco Banner Left at Beach in Manabí, Ecuador

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Five severed heads were left next to a narco banner threatening a criminal group in the beach town of Puerto López, Ecuador. The public display of violence, typical in Mexico, has become increasingly common in conflict zones in Ecuador in recent years as Ecuadorian criminal groups have adopted the tactics of Mexican criminal organizations.

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Gabriel Alonso, a Minor Who Was a Victim of the Confrontation on the Durango-Zacatecas Highway, Has Been Laid to Rest

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

On Monday, a posthumous tribute was held for high school student Gabriel Alonso, who died last week after being struck by a stray bullet in an attack by organized crime in the town of La Constancia, in the municipality of Nombre de Dios, Durango.

La Constancia is located about 51 kilometers from Durango City.

According to El Siglo de Durango, his mother, Beatriz Herrera, lamented his death and blamed "evil" for taking his life during the tribute at the José Vasconcelos High School.

At the ceremony, students, teachers, and school staff remembered the 12-year-old boy for his joy and love of soccer. One of his teachers described him as "a boy full of life, with beautiful eyes."

As part of honoring the boy's memory, a roll call was taken, and then the students released white balloons into the sky.

Herrera rejected the idea that her son's death was due to God's will and instead blamed the insecurity in Durango, which makes it impossible to travel without fearing for the lives of one's children. The woman also reported that instead of receiving support, she has been harassed by the authorities.

Gabriel Alonso's funeral was held on January 8th at the Durango Cathedral, after he died on a stretch of the Durango-Zacatecas highway during a confrontation between armed civilians and the National Guard.

The family was receiving assistance due to a mechanical failure when the officers were attacked.

Imagen Televisión reported that the minor and a National Guard officer, identified as Juan Ramírez, lost their lives in the confrontation that occurred on January 6th, Three Kings' Day.

La Constancia, Durango 

Source: El Siglo de Torreón

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Bedolla Attributes Roadblocks in Tierra Caliente to Criminal Groups

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Roadblocks in the Tierra Caliente region are attributed to criminal groups, according to the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla. The security strategy remains unchanged.

Following the discovery yesterday of six murdered individuals in the municipality of Apatzingán, the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, declined to confirm whether the victims were among those kidnapped in Buenavista, stating that the matter is under investigation by the State Attorney General's Office (FGE).

During his press conference this Tuesday, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said: “This is a matter for the Attorney General's Office; I wouldn't want to offer any opinion on it,” although he acknowledged having preliminary information, but stressed that the expert analyses and investigations are still underway because the events occurred just the day before.

The governor was questioned about the roadblocks reported in the Tierra Caliente region, particularly in Apatzingán and surrounding areas, after which he affirmed that these types of actions are usually linked to criminal organizations.

“Normally, these demonstrations are carried out by criminal groups; they call these people their ‘social base,’ individuals who are paid to generate unrest,” he said, adding that sometimes these mobilizations seek to demand the withdrawal of federal forces.

“Then they demand the withdrawal of the Army, but that's not going to happen,” he added, confirming that the Armed Forces maintain a permanent presence in the region.

He explained that there is a coordinated deployment of various law enforcement agencies in Tierra Caliente.

“The base of the 43rd Military Zone is located in Apatzingán, and there is an intense deployment led by the National Defense Secretariat, the National Guard, the Federal Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection, and the State Civil Guard,” he reiterated.

Although he avoided drawing conclusions about the homicides, the governor clarified that the security strategy in the region remains unchanged and with a reinforced military presence.

Apatzingán, Michoacán

Source: Contramuro

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Six Members of the Aragua Train Gang Arrested in Mexico City; Among Them a Financial Operator and a Woman with Links to La Unión Tepito

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The individuals are linked to crimes of extortion, human trafficking and drug trafficking, according to Omar García Harfuch.

Six members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization were arrested in Mexico City as a result of intelligence and investigative work.

Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), indicated that the individuals are linked to extortion, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

'Lesli', a liaison with La Unión Tepito and sex trafficker

Authorities conducted raids on two residences in the Valle Gómez neighborhood of the Venustiano Carranza borough, where they arrested Lesli Valeri 'N', alias Lesli.

The 40-year-old woman is identified as being responsible for collecting payments from members of the Tren de Aragua derived from sexual exploitation; she also acted as a negotiator between this criminal group and La Unión Tepito, and is involved in drug sales and extorting money from women who are victims of sexual exploitation.

Doses of methamphetamine and marijuana were seized from him, as well as a notebook containing a list of names linked to extortion of sex workers in the Sullivan and Revolución area.

In another raid, Jorge Donovan 'N', Giancarlo 'N', Valeria 'N', and Diana Paola 'N' were arrested. They were key collaborators and relatives of Lesli Valeri 'N', and their main function was the distribution of narcotics, extortion, and collecting protection money from victims in various boroughs of Mexico City. A firearm, cell phones, and narcotics were seized from them.

What did Bryan 'N', the financial operator, do for the Tren de Aragua?

In another operation in the Iztapalapa borough, an arrest warrant was executed against Bryan 'N', 33 years old, for the crimes of aggravated human trafficking and organized crime.

The man is a financial operator for the Tren de Aragua, providing his bank accounts for receiving and sending funds derived from illicit activities in order to conceal the origin and destination of the money.

In addition, he facilitated and provided housing for members of the criminal group, as well as for women of Venezuelan origin.

The Venustiano Carranza borough of Mexico City.

Source: Milenio

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Sheinbaum Rules Out US Military Action in Mexico After Call With Trump: "It's Not On The Table."

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The US president insisted on helping in the fight against insecurity, but the president reiterated that it’s not necessary.

President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out any military action in Mexico by the United States government to attack organised crime, following her call with Donald Trump, but will continue to collaborate to prevent drug and arms trafficking.

At the morning press conference, which was delayed from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. due to the telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, the Mexican leader explained that she sought the call because of statements made by her counterpart.

“What prompted the call? He had stated three times that he would be interested in greater participation in security in Mexico, so I believe that under these circumstances it's always better to seek dialogue instead of only through the media or public communication; it's better to talk on the phone.  Furthermore, there is a history of joint work that is already being done, so that's why we requested the call.

He was generally receptive; he insists on the participation of U.S. forces, but we always say that it's not necessary and that we are very clear in defending our territorial integrity, and that there is already collaboration that is working, so it's not needed.”

“Was military action ruled out with this call, in your opinion?” she was asked.

“Yes, yes… Let's say it was made very clear in the conversation that there is collaboration, coordination, and that we continue to work together within that framework. They can always declare something else at some point, and we will seek a new call if that's the case,” she commented, referring to the statement about the contact that Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente had with Marco Rubio.

Sheinbaum Pardo reiterated her position on the United States' argument for labeling drug traffickers as terrorists.

“We do not agree; our Constitution and our laws define terrorism in a different way. Organized crime cannot be classified as terrorism. Terrorism is directly related to actions against the government and other schemes... nor do we agree with the United States calling it terrorism and intervening in our country. We made this so clear that we amended the Constitution or added a paragraph to the Constitution stating that the Mexican people are against any interventionism.”

Sheinbaum Pardo acknowledged that Trump addressed the issue of Venezuela during this conversation, which, unlike other occasions, was very brief.

“I told him very clearly that we have a Constitution with very clear constitutional principles, and that's where the conversation ended,” she commented.

She added that they agreed that the security committee would continue working together, and that there would be a new meeting on January 22 in the United States.

Source: Milenio

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Clashes Reported Between Rival Sinaloa Cartel Groups in the San Ignacio Mountains

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat

Residents reported gunfire, suspected explosions, and columns of smoke in the San Ignacio mountains, Sinaloa.

Armed clashes were reported during the early hours of this Sunday in the mountainous area of ​​the municipality of San Ignacio, in Sinaloa. Rival groups of the Sinaloa Cartel reportedly participated in the confrontation.

According to reports from residents, gunshots and bursts of gunfire were heard in nearby towns, a situation that caused alarm among the population.

Simultaneously, residents reported a column of gray smoke rising from different points in the mountains, with characteristics similar to those left by explosions caused by high-powered devices.

Through WhatsApp groups and community communication channels, residents shared videos and messages documenting what happened in the mountainous area of ​​San Ignacio.

The reports indicate that the events were not limited to a single community but extended to towns located in the higher parts of the mountains, towards the border with the state of Durango.

These incidents add to other violent events recently recorded in municipalities in southern Sinaloa, such as Escuinapa, where clashes and attacks have also been reported in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

According to information gathered, these territories have been the scene of a constant dispute between rival groups due to their strategic location.

To date, the authorities haven’t issued an official report on fatalities, injuries, or seizures resulting from these events.

San Ignacio, Sinaloa

Source: Milenio

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Criminals Steal Trucks Full of Beer in Salamanca, Guanajuato

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Public security forces recovered a stolen tractor trailer loaded with bottled beer while on patrol in Irapuato, Guanajuato yesterday. The stolen beer was likely destined to be sold at street markets and at local bars.

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Three South American extortionists have been arrested; two are Venezuelan and one is Colombian: Jalisco

 CHAR 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL AND WRITTEN BY: RAMON ORTEGA

They are being accused of conducting fraudulent raffles and granting "loan shark" loans.

State police officers and federal authorities arrested three individuals from South America involved in fraudulent raffles and "loan sharking" schemes in the municipalities of Zapopan and Guadalajara.

The first incident occurred at the intersection of Oss and Amsterdam streets in the Valle de los Molinos neighborhood of Zapopan.

Officers observed two men who matched the descriptions provided in citizen reports that accused them of allegedly collecting money through fraudulent means.

Upon verifying their identities, they discovered that both individuals presented credentials identifying them as Colombian citizens. However, because they could not prove their legal residency in the country, they were referred to personnel from the National Institute of Migration.

The second incident occurred at the intersection of Mandarina Avenue and 9th Street, in the wholesale market in Guadalajara, where police officers encountered a Venezuelan national who could not prove his legal status in Mexico.

Dainer “N,” 21 years old, was unable to prove his legal status in Mexico. Photo: / Courtesy / Secretariat of Security

Due to the above, Arturo “N,” 31 years old, and Andrés “N,” 38, both of Colombian origin, as well as Dainer “N,” 21, from Venezuela, were referred to the immigration authorities to continue with the corresponding procedures.

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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Carlos Castro, Crime Reporter in Veracruz, Murdered; Shot Dead in Restaurant

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

On Thursday night, January 8, the journalistic community of Veracruz suffered another loss with the murder of journalist Carlos Castro. The incident took place inside a commercial establishment located in the municipality of Poza Rica, in the northern part of the state. According to initial reports, the attack occurred while the journalist was inside a restaurant called La Troguebirria.

This business is located on 20 de Noviembre Avenue, in the Cazones neighborhood, a busy area of ​​the city. Witnesses reported that unknown individuals entered the premises and opened fire directly on Castro, then fled the scene in an unknown direction. After the shots were fired, people present at the establishment called emergency services via 911.

Paramedics arrived at the scene to provide first aid; however, despite their efforts, it was confirmed that the journalist had already died due to the severity of his injuries. Public security officers cordoned off the area to preserve the crime scene, allowing personnel from the State Attorney General's Office to begin collecting evidence and opening an investigation.

As of this writing, state authorities haven’t issued a detailed official statement about the events, nor have any arrests been reported in connection with this case. Carlos Castro was a journalist known in the region for his coverage of crime news. He currently worked for the digital media outlet Código Norte Veracruz and had previously worked for the newspaper Noreste.

Following this incident, the State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists (Ceapp) issued a statement confirming the homicide and strongly condemning the attack. The autonomous body reported that it is already addressing the situation and demanded that the state Attorney General's Office and the competent authorities act swiftly. Those who make up this autonomous body demand that the authorities thoroughly investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law," the institution stated.

A relevant detail that has emerged through various media outlets is that Carlos Castro had a history of being at risk.  It was reported that, during 2024, the journalist had protection measures granted by the same CEAPP (State Commission for the Protection of Journalists) due to alleged death threats.

Poza Rica, Veracruz 

Sources: Tribuna, Monitores Multimedia

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Quebec Trafficker Jonathan "Rambo" Bouchard Killed in Puerto Vallarta...After Leaving a Gym

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

Jonathan “Rambo” Bouchard, a 32-year-old who was well known to police in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, was found dead on the morning of January 6, 2026 in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 

One or more gunmen fired at him repeatedly, hitting him twice in the head after he left a gym on Jamaica St. 

His murder is believed to part of the Quebec turf wars that has been ongoing for several years. The turf war, as it has extended into other countries, has been coined a 'Royalty War' by Montreal news outlets as the killings seem to be over royalties being paid for drug shipments.

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