Lily Tellez of Mexico, who is a member of the National Action Party of opposition (PAN) has expressed her agreement with the recent remarks made by U.S. president Donald Trump about the influence of Mexican drug cartels.
Tellez said that Trump’s remarks about Mexico being heavily influenced and controlled by the cartels were accurate. She stated that this is a fact widely acknowledged by Mexicans. She said that these remarks do not reflect poorly on the country’s hard-working and honest citizens but instead highlight problems within the administration of socialist president Claudia Sheinbaum.
Tellez is known for her criticisms of the government. She argued, however, that cartel activities in Mexico would not be as extensive without certain politicians’ involvement. She claimed in a recent speech that President Sheinbaum did not represent Mexicans as a whole, but only interests aligned to the ruling party.
The leader of the opposition claimed, among other things, that Sheinbaum and former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had worked with cartels in their campaigns for election. This collaboration contributed to cartel dominance on Mexican territory.
Tellez said that while cartel activity predates the MORENA’s government, its power has increased significantly during this time, leading her to describe it as a surrender of sovereignty. Tellez cited evidence provided by U.S. agencies of law enforcement as proof for Trump’s assertion that cartels exercise de facto power in certain parts of the nation.
Alfonso Romo was cited by the Mexican legislator. Romo served as Lopez Obrador’s chief of staff and is now the owner of a bank that has been sanctioned recently by U.S. Treasury Department. These sanctions were announced in October of 2025 and accused the institution of laundering cartel proceeds, as well as facilitating the transfer for fentanyl-precursor chemicals to China.
Sheinbaum’s administration responded by defending the bank. They maintained that U.S. officials had not presented any concrete evidence.
Tellez also cited Adan Augusto Lopez as an example. Lopez Obrador was the former secretary of interior and Adan Augusto Lopez is a prominent figure who represents Sheinbaum in Sheinbaum’s current Senate. Tellez claimed that Lopez had extensive connections with the Barredora group of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He noted that an associate, a former Tabasco police chief who was a member of that faction is facing court proceedings. In various reports about organized crime in Mexico, investigations into these ties were documented.
Tellez also addressed the allegations made against Andres Beltran, the son of former President, who she accused of being involved in illegal fuel siphoning from Petroleos Mexicanos, a state-owned company. Tellez claimed that these operations are coordinated with criminal groups and have tacit backing from current leaders. Fuel thefts have long been an important source of revenue for cartels. They contribute to losses that are estimated at billions per year for PEMEX.
Senator emphasized the dangers critics face, saying that often dissent results in violence or threats.
Tellez’s experience as a reporter informed her decision to enter politics. She survived an attempted assassination by gunmen affiliated with cartels in 2000 while she was working as a Mexican news anchor. They were after her reports on the links between organized criminals and high-level prosecutor. She said that at the time she wasn’t in an armored car and her survival was due to luck.
Tellez’s statement comes at a time when tensions between the United States and Mexico are rising over cooperation in security. Trump’s administration imposed tariffs on Mexican goods and increased sanctions against entities tied to cartels. This has led diplomatic tensions.
Sheinbaum has been in office since October 2024, following Lopez Obrador’s tenure. She prioritizes dialogue with the U.S. regarding migration and drug enforcement, while trying to protect her government’s image. Recently, joint operations by Mexican and U.S. officials have targeted fentanyl laboratories and routes of trafficking. However, challenges remain due to cartel adaptability and resourcefulness.
