Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, has stated that Mexican cartels maintain control over specific regions in Mexico. Her remarks were made during a U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing titled "Worldwide Threats," held on March 11. In her 2024 Annual Threat Assessment report, Haines identified Transnational Organized Crime (TCOs) as a significant national security threat.

"There's no question, it is a challenge for the government of Mexico to deal with the cartels," said Haines, National Director of Intelligence. "There are parts of the country [Mexico] that are effectively under the control of the cartels, in certain respects."

In the same U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) queried Haines about the extent of control Mexican cartels might have over Mexico. In response, Haines asserted that despite collaborative efforts from the FBI, DHS and Office of National Intelligence to combat these cartels, they effectively hold sway over certain areas in Mexico.

The 2024 Office of the Director National Intelligence Annual Threat Assessment report notes that "TCOs threaten U.S. and allied public health systems, exploit the international financial system, and degrade the safety and security of the United States and partner nations." TCOs primarily facilitate illicit drug and human trafficking, particularly fentanyl, posing a significant risk to American safety and security. The report disclosed that in 2023 alone, over 100,000 overdose deaths were attributed to illicit fentanyl brought into the country by Mexican TCOs. While this drug is produced and trafficked by Mexico-based TCOs, its chemical precursors mainly originate from China.

According to the same 2024 Annual Threat Assessment report from the Office of the Director National Intelligence, Mexico-based TCOs also engage in money laundering schemes involving U.S businesses. They employ shell companies and have recently begun utilizing cryptocurrency methods.

Haines has served as director of National Intelligence since January 2021. She brings with her experience from the Obama administration where she led the National Security Council’s Deputies Committee, as per her biography on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence website.