By Fausto Carbajal Glass, Partner, Miranda Delphi Solutions
This compendium highlights the systematic recruitment of foreign ex-military operatives by cartels, which demonstrates organized crime’s sophisticated evolution, accessing military-grade weaponry previously exclusive to armed forces. Most alarming is the widespread deployment of improvised explosive devices across Michoacán, prompting judicial intervention. The Army’s deactivation of 28 mines following six soldiers’ deaths underscores the scope of this tactics. Diplomatically, alleged US pressure on President Sheinbaum to investigate Morena party politicians suggests international concerns about state-criminal nexus penetration; high-level US-Mexico meetings reflect urgent diplomatic recalibration needs amid institutional challenges. On the other hand, Mexico’s bilateral security cooperation reactivation with Guatemala indicates long-dated regional spillover effects. Also, the CJNG’s direct targeting of prominent journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva exemplifies cartels’ brazen intimidation tactics against media coverage.
Organized Crime Targets Elite Foreign Operatives; Recruits Ex-Military Personnel from Colombia, Netherlands, and Russia.
The recent arrest of two Colombian ex-military personnel during operations against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Michoacán exemplifies organized crime’s persistent strategy of recruiting foreign operatives to maintain competitive advantage. EL Universal’s investigation reveals a significant increase in foreign nationals linked to elite criminal cell training and operations over the past six years.
Mexican drug cartels have systematically recruited individuals from at least six nationalities –i.e. Colombians, Guatemalans, Ukrainians, Israelis, Dutch, and Russians– to strengthen their ranks. Security experts explain that cartels specifically target foreigners, particularly ex-military personnel, for their weapons expertise, combat training capabilities, and ability to instruct criminal organization members.
Cartels now have unprecedented access to military-grade weaponry and explosives previously restricted to Armed Forces. In addition, weapons manufacturers have capitalized on expanding illegal markets, making lethal weapons, explosives, and mines increasingly accessible.
El Universal, 6/15/25, Alejandra Canchola: Crimen organizado opta por extranjeros de élite; recluta exmilitares de Colombia, Holanda y Rusia.
Army deactivates 28 mines planted by drug cartels in Michoacán following judicial warning.
Mexico’s Defense Ministry located and destroyed 28 improvised mines planted by organized crime in Buenavista Tomatlán, Michoacán, following a federal court mandate. The 43rd Military Zone conducted operations between May 19-23 after residents from Las Paredes del Ahogado and Santa Ana Amatlán filed a lawsuit seeking protection. The federal judge ruled that “the Mexican state is being overwhelmed by criminal acts”, specifically referencing clandestine explosive devices being planted throughout Michoacán localities. The court determined that residents’ fundamental rights to life, security, and integrity were not guaranteed, extending concerns to military personnel addressing the crisis. The judge urged President Claudia Sheinbaum and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch to develop comprehensive plans for eradicating clandestine mines and provide estimated timeframes for complete destruction. The ruling included condolences for six soldiers killed May 27 in Los Reyes, Michoacán, by a landmine detonation, acknowledging their service to communities suffering from criminal violence.
El Sol de México, 6/11/25, Aldo Canedo: Ejército desactiva 28 minas colocadas por el narco en Michoacán tras apercibimiento judicial.
Does the US pressure Mexico’s government to investigate Mexican politicians?
Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly pressuring President Sheinbaum to investigate and prosecute Mexican politicians linked to organized crime, with potential extradition to the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly leads these efforts, making requests to Mexico’s government on at least three occasions targeting current officials suspected of drug trafficking ties. According to Reuters, during bilateral meetings, US officials specifically targeted politicians from Mexico’s ruling Morena party and threatened additional tariffs if Mexico failed to act. The first formal request occurred February 27 in a meeting between Rubio and Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, attended by top security officials from both countries. The US also proposed appointing a “fentanyl czar” for direct communication with Sheinbaum and demanded more rigorous border inspections. However, no confirmed list of suspected politicians has been provided. Mexico’s Foreign Ministry categorically denied these pressure allegations, stating conversations focus on sovereignty-based cooperation.
El Financiero, 6/11/25, Redacción: ¿EU presiona al Gobierno de México para investigar a políticos mexicanos? Esto sabemos.
Sheinbaum and Landau discuss Mexico-US relations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she met Wednesday, June 11, with Christopher Landau, US State Department Deputy Secretary, to discuss various aspects of Mexico-United States relations. The private meeting included Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch and Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente. After more than two hours at the National Palace, Landau departed without making public statements, accompanied by US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum clarified there was “no predetermined agenda” with the US official. The President described it as essentially a conversation originally planned to prepare for a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We will also discuss the framework for conversations we would have with President Trump”, she mentioned, highlighting that a potential meeting with Donald Trump remains under consideration.
Informador, 6/11/25, Redacción: Sheinbaum y Landau conversan sobre relación México y EU.
Mexico and Guatemala reactivate GANSEG to strengthen security along southern border.
Following a southern border incident that left four suspected criminals dead, Chiapas State Attorney General Jorge Llaven Abarca announced that Mexico and Guatemala have agreed to reactivate the “High-Level Security Group” (GANSEG). This international cooperation mechanism addresses security matters through intelligence sharing and joint operations to combat organized crime. Llaven Abarca reported that Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar met with Guatemalan diplomats in Tuxtla Gutiérrez to establish agreements aimed at pacifying the southern border. The official explained that GANSEG represents “a national group between both countries at the high-command level to reactivate operational, investigative, and intelligence strategies to guarantee border security”. Additionally, the attorney general stated that Chiapas ranks first nationally in reducing high-impact crimes by 19 percent, demonstrating significant progress in regional security.
El Heraldo de México, 6/11/25, Patricia Espinosa: México y Guatemala reactivan el GANSEG para reforzar seguridad en la frontera sur.
How they orchestrated, on “El Mencho’s” orders and for half a million, the assassination attempt against Ciro Gómez Leyva.
The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) directly ordered the assassination of journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva and offered 500,000 pesos to a hitman group led by Armando Escárcega, “El Patrón”. According to testimonies given to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office in April, two perpetrators, Pool Pedro Francisco Gómez Jaramillo (“El Pool”) and Héctor Eduardo Martínez Jiménez (“El Bart”), confirmed the crime was a “direct commission” from “El Mencho” because the Imagen Televisión communicator “was crossing the line”. On December 15, 2022, after a pre-attack meeting where “El Patrón” confirmed the half million payment from “El Mencho,” the assassins followed Gómez Leyva’s armored vehicle and fired nine shots with a 9mm pistol. The attack failed due to the vehicle’s level-4 armor plating.
La Silla Rota, 6/11/25, Guadalupe Ponce: Así orquestaron, por orden de “El Mencho” y medio millón, el atentado contra Ciro Gómez Leyva.
If you would like to talk to Fausto about our services in risk and security consulting, please email him at fausto.carbajal@miranda-partners.com
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Download PDF: MI-SecurityChatter-061825