CNN has come under fire following an interview featuring a masked member of the Sinaloa Cartel who expressed admiration for President Donald Trump. The interview centered on the administration’s decision to label the cartel as a terrorist group.
The segment aired on Saturday, May 3, 2025, and showcased CNN International correspondent Isobel Yeung speaking with the cartel member in a concealed location in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. This was part of a comprehensive report on the ongoing conflict between Mexican authorities and drug trafficking organizations.
Yeung questioned the cartel member about his thoughts on being designated a terrorist by the Trump administration, which classified several Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in an executive order signed in January 2025.
Yeung asked, “According to the Trump Administration, you are a terrorist. The cartels have been labeled a foreign terrorist organization. What do you make of that?” The cartel member, wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and latex gloves, responded by saying, “the situation is ugly, but we have to eat,” indicating the economic motivations behind the drug trade.
Upon further questioning about what message he would relay to Trump, the cartel member remarked, “My respect. According to him, he’s looking out for his people.” He also pointed to the demand in the U.S., stating, “If there weren’t any consumers, we would stop.”
The interview quickly gained traction on social media, with conservative commentators suggesting CNN had anticipated a more critical stance against Trump. Instead, the segment appeared to endorse Trump’s protective measures towards Americans.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized CNN for broadcasting an interview with a member of an organization now officially recognized as a terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Critics on social media accused CNN of attempting to humanize the cartel member, providing a platform for someone involved in an organization linked to violence and drug trafficking. Some speculated the network sought anti-Trump statements but failed.
One social media user remarked that CNN was “in full meltdown mode” and inadvertently delivered what resembled a campaign advertisement for the president.
The Trump administration has maintained a stringent stance against Mexican cartels, with the president threatening tariffs and possible military action. In response, Mexico has deployed hundreds of troops to Sinaloa state, where a conflict between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel endangers many civilians.
President Trump has held Mexican cartels accountable for America’s drug crisis, particularly the influx of fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel remains one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations, formerly led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who is serving a life sentence in the U.S.
Under President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican government has intensified efforts to combat cartel violence, departing from the previous “hugs, not bullets” strategy. Officials reported to CNN that over 17,000 suspects were arrested for high-impact crimes in the first six months of Sheinbaum’s administration.
Mexico has also stationed approximately 22,046 National Guard members at its northern border to curb the influx of narcotics into the U.S. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to Sinaloa state to counter cartel activities.
In reaction to Trump’s terrorist organization designation, some Mexican officials have acknowledged that the pressure has yielded positive results. Miguel Calderón, from the State Council on Public Security in Culiacán, noted that the increased pressure has fostered better coordination to reduce criminal activity, he told CNN.
The contentious interview emerges amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over border security and drug trafficking. The Trump administration’s classification of cartels as terrorist groups grants the U.S. expanded authority, including potential military involvement.
In mid-April 2025, President Trump proposed deploying American troops to Mexico to counter drug cartels, particularly targeting fentanyl distribution. President Sheinbaum declined the proposal during an April 16 phone call, emphasizing national sovereignty and rejecting foreign military presence on Mexican soil. She stressed the importance of bilateral collaboration within the confines of each country’s territory.
Following this refusal, Trump publicly criticized Sheinbaum, suggesting a lack of resolve against the cartels. Despite the disagreement, Sheinbaum maintained that the bilateral relationship remains strong, underscoring ongoing communication and mutual respect between the administrations.
Amid criticism, CNN defended its reporting, describing it as an effort to shed light on the complex dynamics of the drug trade and its impact on communities in both Mexico and the U.S. The broader report included interviews with families affected by cartel violence and coverage of Mexican military operations targeting drug production sites.
