An alleged Sinaloa Cartel leader admitted in a CNN interview that President Trump’s aggressive border and immigration policies have made the gang’s criminal operations far more difficult.
In a sit-down with CNN’s David Culver, conducted in the back of an SUV, the masked cartel member, described as part of El Chapo’s former network, acknowledged that Trump’s crackdown is squeezing their black-market trade.
“From killing to coordinating smuggling operations, he says he’s done it all,” Culver narrated. When asked if Trump’s policies were making his job tougher, the cartel boss responded bluntly: “Oh yeah. Yeah.”
Pressed again, Culver asked, “So it’s becoming more difficult, you think?” The cartel figure answered flatly: “Yep.”
CNN further reported that cartels are now charging migrants far more to cross into the United States. Fees that once ran around $6,500 per person are now upwards of $10,000 due to Trump’s heightened enforcement.
The gang member — dressed in a black mask, sunglasses, gloves, and a hat to conceal his identity — also admitted to killing people but insisted he considers himself a good person.
“I did what I had to do,” he said.
In a startling twist, the man claimed he spoke to CNN to discourage others from joining cartels: “It’s not a life. It’s not good,” he said in broken English.
Switching to Spanish, he warned: “Once you get in, you can’t get out.”
Watch the clip below:
CNN asked a Senior Leader of the Sinaloa Cartel: “Do you think what President Trump has been doing has been making your job tougher?”
Cartel Leader: Yes.
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) September 30, 2025
Last month, CBP announced that nationwide border crossings remain 93% lower than the peak under the Biden Administration.
“We are proving every day that tough, consistent enforcement works,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “Border crossings are at record lows, mass catch-and-release is over, and our agents are delivering results for the American people.”
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