# Explainer 506: How did Mexico’s drug cartels bring the country to a standstill?

An episode of [The Foreign Desk](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/786319916), 25 Feb 2026, 7:32.

Audio: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e6127ab7-b81e-456b-893c-a8d600215365/7b9f282e-1b97-4d40-a38f-ab8a0123a4e7/3e17ba0b-05ba-4138-be00-b3fc00f15061/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=ed6a263e-d325-4e94-a10c-ab8a0123a4ec

How did the killing of “El Mencho”, head of CJNG drug cartel, lead to tourists being trapped in Puerto Vallarta? Plus: How does this fit in with President Sheinbaum’s domestic policy and her relationship with Donald Trump? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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