Unless there is some unknown physical phenomenon causing illegal drugs to spontaneously flow from Mexico into the United States, we have to assume that this steady, continuous stream exists because so many Americans remain heavily addicted to fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Despite this, the U.S. administration was quick to take credit for Mexico’s bold move under President Sheinbaum to eliminate a major drug kingpin and continue strengthening security efforts.
However, unless the United States finally accepts responsibility and takes meaningful action to reduce domestic drug use and the rising number of overdose deaths (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2025), the death of a cartel leader will simply trigger either a smooth succession or a violent internal power struggle. In either scenario, the machinery of the drug trade will continue operating to satisfy the country’s insatiable demand for narcotics.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).