Mexican Cartels Rethink Attacks as Trump Threatens Force
9th March 2026
Mexican cartels are increasingly avoiding direct attacks on Americans in Mexico as President Donald Trump threatens military action against traffickers and pushes a tougher regional crackdown that U.S. officials say is meant to raise the cost of cartel violence.
Cartels have long sought to protect business interests and limit actions that could trigger a major government backlash.
Some analysts believe that calculus includes avoiding the deliberate targeting of American tourists and citizens in Mexico, Fox News reported.
That broader pressure campaign is being articulated openly by the administration and its allies.
The question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I feeling lucky?”.