Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum has said her administration is considering possible legal action after criticism from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who accused her of having ties to drug cartels.
Speaking during her morning press briefing on Tuesday, the president responded to Musk’s remarks made a day earlier, in which he suggested she was influenced by cartel interests. Sheinbaum described the allegations of a so-called “narco-government” as “absurd” and completely unfounded.
“We are evaluating whether to pursue legal action,” she said, adding that government lawyers were reviewing the matter. “The accusation collapses under scrutiny. It is simply ridiculous. They do not even know what else to invent.”
Sheinbaum’s comments come amid heightened criticism of her security policies following a surge in violence across parts of Mexico over the weekend.
The unrest followed the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho”. Mexican security forces reportedly tracked him to Tapalpa in central Mexico, where he later died while being transported for medical treatment after being shot during an operation.
The killing triggered violent retaliation from members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, who responded by erecting roadblocks, setting fires, and engaging security forces in clashes that left dozens dead.
Musk joined other online critics in questioning the Mexican government’s response to the violence, posting comments after a social media video showed Sheinbaum advocating alternatives to the traditional militarised “war on drugs” strategy.
In one post, Musk wrote, “She’s just saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say,” adding a sarcastic remark suggesting disciplinary consequences for perceived noncompliance.
The Tesla and X owner has been a vocal critic of left-leaning governments, including Sheinbaum’s administration, and is closely aligned with some of the security policy positions of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for stronger military action against drug cartels.
The United States government has also maintained pressure on Mexico over drug trafficking issues. In a policy statement, the US Department of State noted that Mexico should intensify efforts to dismantle cartel leadership structures, disrupt clandestine drug laboratories, and weaken illicit financial networks linked to narcotics production.
Trump has previously criticised Sheinbaum’s administration, claiming that cartels exert excessive influence in Mexico and suggesting potential US military intervention, remarks that Sheinbaum has strongly rejected as violations of national sovereignty.
In response to economic pressure, Sheinbaum’s government deployed nearly 10,000 members of the Mexican National Guard to the country’s northern border in 2025 to combat fentanyl trafficking.
The administration has also pursued targeted operations against cartel networks while maintaining that law enforcement should prioritise criminal prosecution over lethal force during security operations. Her government has overseen the extradition of several Mexican nationals wanted in the United States, including groups of suspects transferred in multiple batches during 2025.
The capture and subsequent death of El Mencho marked a major milestone for Mexican authorities, who had pursued the cartel leader for years.
Meanwhile, a social media post by Trump suggested continued pressure on Mexico to intensify its anti-cartel campaign, though the message was later deleted.
Sheinbaum concluded her remarks by stating that she is focused primarily on the views of Mexican citizens rather than external criticism, adding that her administration’s security policies are designed to address domestic realities.
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