The U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee Republicans have stated that Mexican drug cartels maintain control at the border. This assertion follows the discovery of eight bodies alongside the Panamerican Highway near the El Paso border, in what appears to be the aftermath of a feud between rival cartels. The Committee made this statement in an April 24 post.
"A chilling reminder that the cartels control the Southwest border, not the Biden administration," said House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee Republicans, according to X.
According to a report by the El Paso Times, eight unidentified male bodies were discovered on April 21, discarded in a field adjacent to the Panamerican Highway which connects Chihuahua City to Juárez. The phrase "Chihuahua tiene dueño," translating to "Chihuahua has an owner," was reportedly inscribed on a sign nailed to one of the bodies. Such mass killings are suspected to be orchestrated by Mexican drug cartels.
The New York Post suggests that this massacre could be attributed to disputes over control of the human trafficking network in the El Paso area. Three major cartels, namely Sinaloa, La Linea and La Empresa, hold sway over human trafficking into El Paso. The border between El Paso and Mexico is considered highly profitable and desirable for human traffickers. Both Sinaloa and La Linea are based in Mexico while La Empresa originates from Colombia. Experts have observed that South American gangs are broadening their influence in this region. Over recent years, there has been a marked increase in human trafficking by these cartels as they have recognized its lucrative potential and integrated existing human trafficking and smuggling organizations into their operations.
The Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee are led by Committee Chairman Mark Green who has served as a representative for Tennessee since 2019.
