Cartels fear US retaliation as Trump-era pressure reshapes strategy: 'They fear the United States'

Mexican drug cartels avoid targeting American tourists to prevent U.S. retaliation, officials say, with Trump administration policies reinforcing cartel fears.

Armando Regil reports on Mexico and Latin America. You can follow Armando on Twitter @armando_regil

Analysts say actions by President Donald Trump — including the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and high-profile operations abroad such as the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran — have reinforced cartel perceptions of heightened risk. 

Mexican drug cartels have long operated with a primary objective: protect revenue streams and avoid actions that could trigger an overwhelming government response. Security analysts and former U.S. officials say that calculus often includes avoiding the deliberate targeting of American tourists and citizens inside Mexico.