DEA Names Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG as Top Priority in Fentanyl Fight

The head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, declared the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as the agency's number one priority in combating the fentanyl crisis. In a video message widely circulated by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, Cole stated, 'Fentanyl is a threat like we have never seen before' Source: Milenio. He emphasized that these Mexican cartels have 'destroyed families, devastated communities, and tested law enforcement at all levels' Source: Excelsior.

Cole's remarks come amid heightened pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened unilateral action if Mexico does not curb drug trafficking Source: Infobae. The DEA has already seized over 14,000 kilograms of fentanyl and 62 million pills since the start of Trump's term, representing more than 478 million lethal doses Source: Infobae.

Mexico has consistently rejected any suggestion of direct U.S. intervention, insisting on mutual respect and cooperation Source: Excelsior. However, Trump has linked the cartel fight to broader bilateral issues, including trade and migration Source: Excelsior. The designation of the Sinaloa and CJNG as top priorities underscores the escalating U.S. focus on Mexican cartels as central to the opioid epidemic.