Sheinbaum Considers Legal Action After Musk Links her to Cartels

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday that her government is considering legal action against tech billionaire Elon Musk after he posted a comment on X suggesting she has ties to drug cartels.

Musk’s post came after Mexican authorities captured and killed Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).  In response to a 2025 video of Sheinbaum discussing cartel-related violence, Musk wrote that she was “saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say.” Musk did not provide evidence for the claim.

At her daily press briefing in Mexico City, Sheinbaum called the comment “absurd” and said officials are consulting lawyers to determine if Musk’s remarks are legally actionable.

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She also pointed out the challenges of pursuing legal action in the U.S., where free speech protections make defamation suits difficult unless the speaker knowingly spreads false information or acts with reckless disregard for the truth.

Sheinbaum reaffirmed her government’s security strategy, rejecting a return to the militarised war on drugs of previous administrations. She emphasized that Mexico aims for peace, not an escalation of conflict. Legal experts say that the U.S. legal framework could complicate any lawsuit, as speech protections often shield public figures from defamation claims.

Sheinbaum’s position has gained support from allies, including Luisa Alcalde, head of the ruling MORENA party, who urged Musk to focus on combating drug consumption, misinformation, and narco-culture, rather than making unsubstantiated accusations.

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The incident highlights the ongoing cartel violence in Mexico, which has intensified following El Mencho’s death, exposing the challenges Mexico faces in its fight against organised crime.