Full Breakdown
Trump Accuses Mexico of Losing Control as U.S. Officials Cite Shift in Drug Trafficking to Canada
6/18/2026, 11:45:17 PM
G7 Accusations: Trump Blames Mexican Cartels
At the G7 summit in Evian, France, on June 18, 2026, President Donald J. Trump said Mexico has lost control of its territory and that drug cartels “totally run” the country. He called President Claudia Sheinbaum “a good woman but a scared woman” and warned U.S. would act where Mexico does not. He announced a shift to land routes, saying they “come through Mexico.”
Background: U.S. Enforcement and Mexican Politics
The United States has intensified prosecutions of Mexican officials tied to cartels, notably indicting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine associates on drug-trafficking conspiracy charges. President Sheinbaum, a MORENA member, defends the officials, calling the accusations motivated by U.S. far-right interests. Trump cited a 61 percent drop in land-based seizures and a 97.2 percent drop in maritime shipments at the southern border.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump’s G7 remarks framed a strategy to target drug flows from Mexico. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Washington that pressure on Mexican cartels is pushing criminal activity northward, increasing fentanyl trafficking from Canada. Mullin urged “partnerships” with authorities to prevent displacement. Minister Gary Anandasangaree said irregular migration and drug shipments, but called for better intelligence sharing.
Criticism & Opposition
President Sheinbaum rejected U.S. claims, saying there is no evidence linking indicted officials to wrongdoing and accusing Washington of meddling in politics. Analysts have questioned Mullin’s “lots more” fentanyl claim, noting Customs recorded only six pounds seized at northern border in seven months of FY 2026, versus 77 pounds in FY 2025. No verification of Trump’s smuggling-reduction figures was offered.
Data & Statistics
- 61 percent decline in land-based drug seizures and 97.2 percent decline in maritime shipments at the U.S.–Mexico border (Trump’s figures).
- Indictment of Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine associates on drug-trafficking conspiracy charges.
- CBP seized six pounds (2.7 kg) of fentanyl at the U.S.–Canada border in FY 2026, versus 77 pounds (35 kg) in FY 2025.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Mullin’s claim of increased fentanyl flow from Canada lacks supporting seizure data, creating a gap between his statements and CBP statistics. Trump’s percentages for smuggling reductions are unverified by sources, and Mexican authorities have not released official data on cartel control or drug-seizure trends.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mexico has lost control of its country. The cartels control Mexico, it’s sad. The President is a very good woman, but she’s a very scared woman,” — Donald J. Trump, G7 summit
- “The President is a very good woman, but she’s a very scared woman,” Trump declared.” — Donald J. Trump, G7 summit
- “The biggest concern we see is what's happening on our southern border being pushed up to our northern border because of the pressure we're putting on the cartels,” — Markwayne Mullin, CSIS conference
- “We have fought wars together with Canada, we have spilled blood together in other parts of the world,” — Markwayne Mullin, CSIS conference
What’s Next
Mullin said the United States will pursue faster intelligence sharing with Canadian officials and maintain coordination with Mexican authorities to counter the alleged shift in drug routes. He called for meetings to improve response times and monitor cartel activity at both borders.
