(MEXICO) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday rejected claims from the United States that Mexico’s cartels have placed cash bounties on U.S. immigration officials, saying her government has received no official notice, intelligence, or evidence. She said Mexico learned of the allegation only from public Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publications and media reports, not through direct channels. “We asked our security leadership, and there is no communication from the U.S. government,” she said. As of October 16, 2025, Mexico is still waiting for details and has taken no action tied to the allegation.
Sheinbaum’s response and request for evidence
Sheinbaum said she spoke with Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, who confirmed that no official information had been sent from the U.S. to Mexico regarding these threats. Mexican intelligence agencies also have no evidence or reports of cartels placing bounties on U.S. immigration officials.
She stressed that the offers described in DHS publications appear to concern activity inside the United States rather than on Mexican soil. Her administration has formally requested further information from U.S. authorities but has received none so far, she added.
“The federal government in Mexico needs documented, direct information before it can assess risk, cooperate on an investigation, or adjust security posture.”
What the U.S. alleges
DHS’s public description of the alleged campaign includes a tiered payment menu for attacks on U.S. officials:
- Up to $50,000 for assassinations of senior officials
- $5,000–$10,000 for kidnappings or non-lethal assaults
- $2,000 for doxxing or gathering intelligence on agents
DHS also described broader tactics allegedly used by cartel-linked networks, including:
- Ambushes
- Drone surveillance
- Death threats against federal law enforcement
- Deployment of “spotters” in some U.S. cities
- Support from sympathetic domestic groups (doxxing, organizing protests)
Mexico has not confirmed any of these assertions.
Why this matters: potential impacts
The stakes are high for both officers and migrants. If DHS’s claims are accurate, the threat environment for ICE and CBP officers could shift substantially, with possible consequences such as:
- Changes to field operations and protective details
- Reassignment of officers to security duties, affecting processing times and pace of removals
- Delays in appointments, court schedules, and case processing
For migrants and affected communities:
- Stepped-up screening at ports of entry and more frequent checks on buses and highways
- Delayed appointments and increased security layers for people with pending cases
- Heightened fear among asylum seekers and those dependent on scarce shelter and legal resources
Important: Perception of risk alone—even without verified attacks—can reshape operations and daily life.
Skepticism and analysis
Some former U.S. officials and security experts have expressed skepticism. Former DEA agent Mike Vigil called the claims “absolutely absurd,” arguing that cartels historically avoid direct confrontation with U.S. federal agents because such attacks invite heavy, sustained pressure.
Analysts note a recurring challenge: public warnings sometimes outpace formal intelligence-sharing. According to VisaVerge.com, the gap between DHS’s public claims and Mexico’s denial highlights how:
- Public advisories can precede formal information exchange
- Coordination stalls when documentation is absent
- Governments struggle to set priorities without verified risk
Cross-border coordination and information-sharing
Mexico has requested any underlying case files from U.S. authorities. Formal sharing would typically include:
- Briefings through established diplomatic and law enforcement channels
- Evidence packages and case files transmitted to Mexican counterparts
- Possible joint task force coordination if threats are validated
Without those steps, Mexico says it cannot:
- Validate alleged bounties
- Map networks or identify actors involved
- Adjust domestic security measures based on uncorroborated public claims
Mexican agencies report no domestic intelligence pointing to cartel efforts to target U.S. officers on Mexican soil.
Where to find official updates
For U.S. readers, DHS posts advisories and policy statements on its site. The department’s public-facing page offers background on federal enforcement roles and how threats are addressed across agencies, including CBP and ICE.
- Official source: Department of Homeland Security
Any shift from routine warnings to a named, evidence-based threat would usually be reflected in future public guidance or joint statements.
Local enforcement, prosecutions, and community implications
Because the allegation centers on activities inside the U.S., domestic law enforcement and prosecutors may get involved if corroborating evidence emerges. Potential actions include:
- Treating doxxing or threats as criminal acts
- Investigating domestic groups that may provide logistical support
- Pressuring community organizers to avoid activities that impede enforcement if those are tied to safety risks
Again, Mexico has not received shared intelligence and has not confirmed such links.
For families and border communities, practical considerations include:
- Building extra time into travel and appointments if security measures increase
- Carrying identification and any hearing notices when traveling between cities
- Remaining aware that security responses may reflect perceived risk as facts are sorted out
Bottom line and next steps
Mexico’s stance is clear: it will cooperate on verified threats but cannot respond to allegations not received through official channels. Sheinbaum emphasized the need for documented evidence before Mexico can:
- Assess risk
- Cooperate on investigations
- Adjust security posture or operations
This episode is a test for bilateral institutional cooperation: if concrete evidence exists, rapid, coordinated action could protect officers and the public. If not, both governments will need to recalibrate messaging to avoid unnecessary fear among migrants, families, and frontline staff.
Key takeaway: As of October 16, 2025, the Mexican government reports no official evidence of cartel bounties and is awaiting the United States to share any proof it has.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly denied receiving any official U.S. notification, intelligence, or evidence that cartels placed cash bounties on U.S. immigration officials. DHS has published allegations describing a tiered payment scheme—up to $50,000 for assassinations, $5,000–$10,000 for kidnappings or nonlethal assaults, and $2,000 for doxxing—plus supporting tactics such as ambushes, drone surveillance, and spotters. Mexican security and intelligence agencies reported no domestic corroboration and have formally requested documentation from U.S. authorities but received none as of October 16, 2025. Analysts caution that public advisories without shared evidence can strain bilateral coordination and alter operations, potentially affecting processing times, screening, and community trust. Mexico says it will act only on verified threats and seeks documented information before cooperating on investigations or changing security postures.
