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For years, the US went after Mexico’s drug lords. Now it’s looking at the politicians
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 25, 2026
· 9 min read
Photo: KVIA ABC-7 · view original
By Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Mexico City (CNN) — For decades, drug lords with names like “ El Chapo ” and “ El Mencho ” have been the poster boys of the US fight against Mexican drug trafficking. Now the Trump administration has adopted a new target: well-heeled politicians who allegedly accept dir...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 25, 2026 Indexed here Jul 25, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The US Treasury recently accused cartels of “increasingly using (their) illicit profits to make cash payments to Mexican political campaigns.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The US shift in targeting politicians who allegedly accept dirty money from cartels has significant implications for El Paso, given its proximity to the border and history of cartel activity. As the Trump administration takes a harder line on cartels and their suspected enablers in government, El Pasoans may see increased scrutiny of local and state officials with ties to Mexico. The city's unique position as a major crossing point for trade and travel between the US and Mexico means that any disruption to the political landscape in Mexico could have ripple effects on El Paso's economy and public safety. With the US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network now actively monitoring cartel influence in Mexican politics, El Paso residents should watch for potential fallout, including changes in cross-border cooperation on law enforcement and trade issues.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 25, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Mexico City (CNN) — For decades, drug lords with names like “ El Chapo ” and “ El Mencho ” have been the poster boys of the US fight against Mexican drug trafficking. Now the Trump administration has adopted a new target: well-heeled politicians who allegedly accept dir...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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