Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum considers legal action after Elon Musk criticism
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has hinted at potential legal action against Elon Musk following his recent criticisms, which accused her of being influenced by cartels. During a press conference, Sheinbaum stated that her legal team is evaluating whether to pursue any claims, dismissing Musk's allegations as absurd and baseless. The billionaire tech mogul had previously mocked her government's approach to the drug war, suggesting she was merely repeating what cartel leaders instruct her to say. This exchange has escalated tensions between Mexico's left-wing administration and Musk, who has long been a critic of Sheinbaum and aligns politically with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The backdrop to this conflict is the recent surge in violence linked to the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, a top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. His killing by Mexican authorities sparked widespread unrest, including roadblocks, arson, and clashes with security forces, resulting in numerous casualties. Musk's remarks about Sheinbaum came in response to a viral video where she advocated for alternatives to the militaristic "war on drugs" approach. He sarcastically compared her situation to a "performance improvement plan," drawing parallels to corporate discipline.
Sheinbaum has repeatedly defended her administration's efforts against cartels, emphasizing that her government is committed to targeting cartel leadership and disrupting drug networks through legal means. However, she has also rejected U.S. offers for military intervention on Mexican soil, arguing it would infringe on Mexico
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026