Drug cartels put Mexican government on notice

The cartel’s intention is to damage tourism so it hurts the government. That puts them in a better position to negotiate a truce where drugs flow without political impediment.
Burnt-out buses in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Mexican cartel members began burning businesses and vehicles on Feb. 22, 2026, after their drug lord leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' died in military custody and after being captured in a bloody firefight in Jalisco. Photograph courtesy of Don Martin
Opinion
BY SHEILA COPPS
March 2, 2026

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—Two weeks ago, we were watching the Netflix series, El Chapo. Then last Sunday, we were living the havoc wreaked by drug cartels run amok.  

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

Top Canadian political and policy opinion and analysis. Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

MORE Opinion

Immigration and the survival of French are tied in Quebec

opinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

Treasury Board wants to ‘modernize’ Privacy Act by legalizing more personal data reuses, sharing

opinionBY KEN RUBIN

Can Canada’s Species at Risk Act protect endangered wildlife on federal land?

opinionBY LYNN JONES

New Democrats must be united for voters to hear the ‘roar’

opinionBY JOSH BIZJAK

Don’t let partisanship guide Conflict of Interest Act updates

opinionBY EDITORIAL

RELATED STORIES

Election promise tracker: key pledges parties are making this campaign

featureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

newsBY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW

Breaking down C-5: Carney’s ‘build, baby, build’ bill draws support from business sector, but heavy pushback from environmental, Indigenous groups

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

No ‘perfect’ solution in Carney asset disclosure calls, say law and political science experts

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Poilievre’s ethics pitch more about framing Carney as a ‘corrupt politician’ than attempt at reform, but some ideas are good, say observers

newsBY IREM KOCA