El Mayo’s guilty plea, Sheinbaum’s tightrope, and Julio César Chávez Jr.’s release expose a crisis of impunity — and a U.S. president who’s not waiting around.

Organized criminal groups, long referred to as “cartels,” have evolved far beyond drug trafficking. They are now paramilitary regimes, political influencers, and multi-billion-dollar enterprises with global tentacles. Their operations extend from smuggling corridors to congressional bribes. They’ve effectively replaced the rule of law in entire municipalities.