CNN is under fire after broadcasting an interview with a masked member of the Sinaloa Cartel who expressed respect for President Donald Trump. The interview took place in light of the administration’s decision to classify the cartel as a terrorist organization.
The segment, which aired on Saturday, May 3, 2025, featured CNN International correspondent Isobel Yeung speaking with the cartel member at a concealed location in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The interview was part of a broader report on the ongoing conflict between Mexican authorities and drug trafficking groups.
Yeung questioned the cartel member about his views on the Trump administration’s decision to label Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations through an executive order signed in January 2025.
“According to the Trump Administration, you are a terrorist. The cartels have been labeled a foreign terrorist organization. What do you make of that?” Yeung inquired of the masked individual, wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and latex gloves to maintain anonymity.
The cartel member indicated that “the situation is ugly, but we have to eat,” implying that the drug trade is an economic necessity for those involved.
When Yeung asked what message he would convey to Trump if he were watching, the answer was unexpected for many viewers.
“My respect. According to him, he’s looking out for his people,” the cartel member said, adding that the issue stems from demand in the U.S., stating, “If there weren’t any consumers, we would stop.”
The segment quickly gained traction on social media, with several conservative commentators suggesting that CNN anticipated a more critical view of President Trump. Instead, the cartel member acknowledged Trump’s efforts to safeguard Americans.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized CNN for providing a platform to a member of an organization now officially classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Critics on social media accused CNN of trying to humanize the cartel member and offering a stage to someone involved in an organization linked to violence and drug trafficking. Some speculated that the network aimed to elicit anti-Trump remarks but failed.
One social media user commented that CNN was “in full meltdown mode” and had inadvertently produced a campaign advertisement for the president.
The Trump administration has maintained a stringent stance against Mexican cartels, with the president threatening tariffs and even military intervention against these organizations. In response, Mexico has deployed hundreds of troops to Sinaloa state, where conflict persists between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, endangering civilians.
President Trump has attributed America’s drug crisis, particularly the flow of fentanyl, to Mexican cartels. The Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations globally, was previously led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, now serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison.
The Mexican government under President Claudia Sheinbaum has ramped up efforts to tackle cartel violence, moving away from the previous “hugs, not bullets” policy. Officials reported to CNN that the first six months of Sheinbaum’s administration saw over 17,000 suspects detained for high-impact crimes nationwide.
Mexico has also deployed about 10,000 National Guard members to its northern border to curb the flow of narcotics into the U.S. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers have been dispatched to Sinaloa state to counter cartel activities in the area.
In response to Trump’s designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, some local officials in Mexico have acknowledged that the pressure has produced results. Miguel Calderón, a representative of the State Council on Public Security in Culiacán, noted that increased pressure has led to meaningful progress, enhancing coordination to reduce criminal activity, as he told CNN.
The contentious interview surfaces amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over border security and drug trafficking. The Trump administration’s decision to categorize cartels as terrorist organizations grants the U.S. government expanded powers to combat these groups, including potential military action.
In mid-April 2025, President Trump proposed deploying U.S. troops to Mexico to tackle drug cartels, specifically targeting fentanyl trafficking. Mexican President Sheinbaum refused the offer during a phone call on April 16, citing national sovereignty and stating that a foreign military presence on Mexican soil is unacceptable. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries but insisted that operations should occur within their territories.
Following the decline, President Trump publicly criticized Sheinbaum, suggesting she was intimidated by the cartels and unable to effectively address the issue. Despite the disagreement, Sheinbaum maintained that the bilateral relationship remains intact, emphasizing ongoing communication and mutual respect between the administrations.
Despite criticism of CNN, the network has defended its coverage as an attempt to provide insights into the complex dynamics of the drug trade and its impact on communities in both Mexico and the U.S. The network’s broader report included interviews with families affected by cartel violence and coverage of Mexican military operations targeting drug production facilities.
