Mexico City: Claudia Sheinbaum has said her government is considering legal action after billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk alleged on social media that drug cartels control her administration.
Speaking at a press conference on February 24, Sheinbaum described Musk’s remarks as “absurd” and said her legal team was reviewing possible options. “We are considering whether we take legal action. The lawyers are reviewing it. But the truth is what matters to me is what the people say,” she told reporters.
Controversial social media post
The controversy stems from comments Musk made on February 23 on his social media platform X. In response to a 2025 video in which Sheinbaum said returning to a “war on drugs” strategy was not an option for Mexico, Musk wrote that she was “just saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say.”
In a follow-up remark, he added: “Let’s just say that their punishment for disobedience is a little worse than a ‘performance improvement plan’ …”
Musk’s comments were made without presenting evidence to substantiate the claim that Mexico’s federal government is under the control of organised crime groups.
Press representatives for Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, did not respond to requests for comment from international media outlets.
Operation against cartel leader
The exchange comes days after Mexican authorities announced that armed forces had killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco on February 22.
Oseguera Cervantes was identified by officials as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal groups.
According to Mexican officials, the operation was carried out with assistance from American military intelligence. In the aftermath of the operation, authorities reported a surge in violent incidents in certain regions, including road blockades and armed clashes, as security forces sought to regain control.
Sheinbaum rejects ‘narcogobierno’ claims
Addressing the allegations, Sheinbaum firmly rejected suggestions of a “narcogobierno” — a government controlled by drug traffickers. “I don’t know how they make this stuff up,” she said. “It makes me laugh reading this from the commentators.”
A member of the left-leaning National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, Sheinbaum has advocated a security strategy that emphasises social development and intelligence-led operations rather than an all-out militarised crackdown reminiscent of earlier drug war policies.
Her administration has faced ongoing challenges from organised crime groups, with violence remaining a persistent issue in several states. However, officials have maintained that federal forces continue to target cartel leadership and infrastructure through coordinated operations.
Legal and diplomatic implications
Legal experts note that pursuing action against statements made on a foreign-owned social media platform could involve complex jurisdictional and defamation considerations. It remains unclear whether any formal complaint would be filed in Mexican courts or internationally.
The episode also highlights the increasing influence of social media platforms in shaping political discourse and the potential diplomatic sensitivities when prominent business leaders comment on foreign governments.
As of now, Sheinbaum’s administration has not confirmed whether it will proceed with legal action. The matter remains under review, with officials reiterating that their focus remains on security operations and public safety.
The exchange underscores the broader tensions surrounding Mexico’s fight against organised crime and the scrutiny faced by its leadership on the global stage.