The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has revealed that she is considering legal action against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, after he insinuated that she was connected to the drug cartel in the country. This came after the capture and killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera.
Mexican President might take legal action against Elon Musk
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that Mexico is considering legal action against tech billionaire Elon Musk, following his comment on X that seemed to link the President with the country’s drug cartels (via Reuters).
The comment from Musk came after the capture and killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera, better known as El Mencho, by Mexican security forces.
Elon Musk commented on a video from 2025, where Sheinbaum can be seen discussing cartel violence. Musk responded to the video, saying that the President was “saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say.” He did not elaborate or put forth any further evidence.
Responding to this, President Claudia Sheinbaum claimed that they were considering legal action against the billionaire. “We are considering whether to take legal action,” she said during her daily morning press conference.
Suing Elon Musk can be difficult for Sheinbaum, especially with strong legal protections for free speech in United States. Reuters adds that “Sheinbaum would need to prove Musk knowingly said something false about her or recklessly disregarded the truth when he said it” if they were to hold the CEO accountable.
In the video where Musk commented, the President was saying that a return to a “war on drugs” was not feasible at the moment. “Returning to the war on drugs is not an option … it is outside the framework of the law,” she said.
Ruling MORENA Party president Luisa Alcalde also criticized Elon Musk for his comment. “Wealth does not give moral authority,” she said, “The lives that are lost in this fight, often fueled by consumption in other countries, are worth infinitely more than any fortune amassed in Silicon Valley.”
