Allegations of ties between allies of Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and drug cartels have been examined by American law enforcement officials. This investigation, previously undisclosed, revealed potential connections between powerful cartel operatives and Mexican advisors and officials close to President López Obrador. However, no formal investigation was opened into the president, and the inquiry was eventually shelved due to a lack of appetite within the U.S. government to pursue allegations against one of its top allies.

When questioned about the allegations, President López Obrador called them “completely false” and stated that they would not affect Mexico’s relationship with the United States. However, he expressed a desire for a response from the U.S. government and emphasized that time would ultimately reveal the impact of these allegations on the two countries’ trust in each other.

It’s well-documented that drug cartels have deeply infiltrated the Mexican state, extending from the lower levels of government to the upper echelons. These criminal organizations exert influence through bribery, manipulation, and coercion, dominating vast regions of the country. While U.S. officials uncovered potential ties between cartels and the president’s associates, they found no direct connections between the president himself and criminal organizations.

The information collected by U.S. officials largely came from informants, whose accounts are sometimes difficult to corroborate. The validity of the information obtained remains somewhat uncertain, as it was gathered during an investigation into the activities of drug cartels, and independent confirmation of the informants’ claims was not always possible.

For example, one informant told investigators that a close confidant of President López Obrador had met with a top leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel before the 2018 presidential election. Another source claimed that a founder of the Zetas cartel paid $4 million to two of the president’s allies with the hope of being released from prison after López Obrador’s election. Additionally, a third source suggested that drug cartels possessed videos of the president’s sons picking up drug money.

While the U.S. law enforcement officers also tracked payments from individuals believed to be cartel operatives to intermediaries for President López Obrador, no direct evidence linking the president to criminal organizations was found.

The investigation surrounding these allegations has since been shelved, and the U.S. has not pursued any criminal charges against President López Obrador. This decision was likely influenced by a separate, highly contentious corruption case involving Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Mexico’s former defense secretary. The case, referred to as “Operation Padrino,” accused Cienfuegos of using his office to aid a violent criminal group involved in drug trafficking. However, these charges were later dismissed under pressure from the Mexican government, leading to a breakdown in the relationship between U.S. law enforcement agencies and their Mexican counterparts.

As the Biden administration navigates its relationship with President López Obrador, they face the challenge of managing migration issues and drug enforcement in collaboration with Mexico. The U.S. has a significant stake in maintaining a positive relationship with Mexico, given its role as a top trading partner and a crucial ally in combating drug trafficking.

While the recent investigation into President López Obrador’s allies is no longer active, the revelation that U.S. law enforcement officials were examining corruption allegations against them could impact the relationship between the two countries. President López Obrador has publicly denounced reports about the investigation, suggesting that they are intended to interfere with Mexico’s upcoming presidential election. He has also expressed concern about the potential impact of these allegations on discussions related to migration and drug enforcement with the U.S. government.

Although the U.S. has refrained from publicly criticizing President López Obrador, opting instead to engage in private diplomatic discussions with Mexican officials, tensions persist as both countries navigate the complexities of their relationship. The handling of this delicate situation will continue to be a focal point in U.S.-Mexico relations.