Is the US arming Mexican cartels?

"Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo told reporters that 80 percent of weapons seized from cartels have been smuggled across the border from the United States. With the aid of US intelligence, Mexican security forces tracked El Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and was also wanted in the US, to a property in the mountain town of Tapalpa in west-central Mexico."

"Mexico's main drug cartels include the Gulf Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG. They are all heavily armed with military-grade rifles, high-capacity magazines and in some cases explosives. The CJNG, in particular, is notorious for its firepower, having shot down Mexican military helicopters in 2015."

"After the raid that killed El Mencho on February 22, armed cartel members launched coordinated attacks on highways, police stations and rival territories across multiple states, resulting in several deaths and widespread disruption."

Mexico's defence minister reported that 80 percent of weapons confiscated from cartels are smuggled from the United States. Major Mexican cartels including the CJNG, Sinaloa Cartel, and Gulf Cartel possess military-grade rifles, high-capacity magazines, and explosives. The CJNG, led by El Mencho until his death in a February raid, is particularly known for its advanced firepower, having previously shot down Mexican military helicopters. Following El Mencho's killing with US intelligence assistance, cartel members launched coordinated attacks across multiple states. Both Mexican and US authorities have issued rewards for several cartel leaders, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations.

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