Drug cartels in Mexico have reached unprecedented size and influence, now ranking as the fifth-largest employer in the country with approximately 175,000 members. This stark reality calls for immediate action from the U.S., as these criminal organizations fuel both drug-related violence and the devastating opioid crisis in American communities. Research suggests cartels as the fifth-largest employer in Mexico.
The scale of cartel recruitment is staggering. Research from the journal Science reveals that cartels enlist over 350 individuals weekly to replace members lost to violence or imprisonment. This constant replenishment ensures the cartels maintain their dominance.
Rafael Prieto-Curiel, the study’s lead researcher, emphasized that this recruitment is vital for the cartels to sustain operations and continue their destructive activities. Cartels’ growing influence highlights their impact.
The effects of cartel activity are not confined to Mexico. American families bear the brunt of the cartels’ drug trade, particularly with the flood of fentanyl into U.S. cities. Over 100,000 Americans die annually from drug overdoses, many linked to cartel-supplied substances. This human toll, coupled with the cartels’ ability to outmaneuver Mexican authorities, underscores the need for stronger U.S. intervention.
Drug cartels have become Mexico's 5th-largest employer https://t.co/xMVwvXj2QW
— Truth Toolbox (@TruthToolbox) December 31, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to confront cartels head-on, considering measures such as designating them as terrorist organizations and deploying military resources to disrupt their operations. Trump’s incoming administration, including national security adviser Rep. Mike Waltz and ambassador-designate Ronald D. Johnson, has signaled a no-tolerance approach to cartel violence.
¡Tremenda campaña negativa!
The Washington Times:
Drug cartels have become Mexico's 5th-largest employer
Some 175,000 people now actively work for Mexico's smuggling cartels, according to a shocking new estimate that would make them the country's fifth-largest private employer".— Alfredo Jalife-Rahme (@AlfredoJalife) December 31, 2024
The cartels’ influence goes beyond the drug trade, with their activities deeply embedded in local economies and political systems. Experts argue that breaking this cycle requires not just enforcement but a comprehensive strategy to dismantle the cartels’ financial and operational networks.
I wonder how many people will it take to distribute those giant amounts of drugs inside the US, maybe it would be the largest employer in the US? 🌬️🏔️
— Senex Petrovic 👀💦 (@PetrovicSenex) December 31, 2024
The question now is whether the U.S. government will take bold action to counter this growing threat. As cartels continue to thrive, the stakes for American lives and national security have never been higher.
How are we going to dismantle the cartels? — The cartels are the fifth largest employer in Mexico. https://t.co/spwI6ffzwm
— American Thinker (@AmericanThinker) December 31, 2024
I bet they are toasting their newfound status in the top 5. Come on January 20th! We got some investigating to do!
— Richard Cowand (@rcowand16) December 31, 2024
