Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her administration is reviewing possible legal action against tech billionaire Elon Musk after he accused her, without evidence, of being linked to drug cartels.
Speaking during her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum described Musk’s remarks as unfounded and confirmed that government lawyers are examining the situation.
“We are considering whether to take legal action,” she said, noting that legal advisers are assessing the implications of the post.
The Controversial Post
The dispute began after Musk reacted on X to a resurfaced 2025 video in which Sheinbaum discussed cartel violence and Mexico’s security strategy. In that clip, Sheinbaum argued that returning to a full-scale “war on drugs” would not be viable.
“Returning to the war on drugs is not an option … it is outside the framework of the law,” she said in the earlier remarks.
Responding to the video, Musk alleged that Sheinbaum was “saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say.” He did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The comment followed the reported capture and killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a recent Mexican security operation.
Security Policy Under Scrutiny
Sheinbaum has maintained that her government is pursuing a strategy focused on reducing violence while respecting legal frameworks, distancing herself from the militarized anti-cartel campaign launched in 2006 by former President Felipe Calderon.
Calderón’s offensive against organized crime triggered intense turf battles among criminal groups, contributing to years of elevated homicide rates across the country, according to analysts.
Following the operation against Oseguera, cartel members reportedly responded with coordinated roadblocks and arson attacks in parts of Jalisco. Sheinbaum said such reactions can occur after high-profile arrests or killings but insisted her administration is not shifting toward a broader war strategy.
“The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,” she told reporters.
While no lawsuit has yet been filed, Sheinbaum’s comments signal that her government is taking Musk’s allegation seriously. The presidency has not specified what form any potential legal action might take.
For now, the episode has added a new political dimension to Mexico’s ongoing battle against organized crime — and underscored how social media statements by high-profile figures can quickly escalate into diplomatic or legal disputes.
Source: Africa Publicity
