A leader of a Mexican cartel has made a plea to President Donald Trump to address the widespread corruption in Mexico. Cesar Alejandro Sepulveda Arellano, also known as ‘El Botox’ and identified as the head of Los Blancos de Troya, a faction of the Los Viagras cartel, reached out to Trump in a video circulated on social media.
Arellano, wanted by authorities in both Mexico and the United States, urged President Trump to tackle the corruption and violence plaguing Mexico. He requested Trump’s intervention to cease deportations of Mexican migrants and instead integrate them into the American labor market.
In the video, reportedly filmed from a hidden location, Arellano directly addressed President Trump, emphasizing the need for outside assistance in Mexico due to what he described as a lack of corrupt practices in the US government compared to Mexico.
Alleging that Mexican officials sought bribes from him on multiple occasions, Arellano disclosed that he had been extorted for large sums of money to operate freely. He also accused the Morelia prison in Michoacan, where his cartel operates, of being rife with drug activities, pointing fingers at the state’s government for turning a blind eye to the situation.
Expressing his desire for scrutiny of the Mexican government by the US and the United Nations, Arellano labeled the Mexican government as the biggest mafia responsible for perpetuating conflicts and keeping the country underdeveloped.
In a separate online video, Arellano distanced himself from violent crimes and pleaded for the release of his detained wife and daughter in connection with the murder of agricultural leader Bernardo Bravo Manriquez. Manriquez, known for opposing extortion demands by criminal groups, was killed in October.
Authorities in Michoacan have accused Arellano of the murder and issued warrants for his arrest, offering a reward for information leading to his capture. Los Blancos de Troya, the cartel associated with Arellano, has been linked to various criminal activities in agricultural regions, particularly in the citrus sector.
While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has cooperated with the US on extradition and border security matters, she has vehemently opposed foreign military involvement in Mexico. President Trump recently hinted at potential military actions against drug cartels, prompting a response from Sheinbaum stating that US troop deployment in Mexico was not under consideration.
This development comes amidst ongoing efforts to combat cartel activities and violence in Mexico, with both domestic and international stakeholders closely monitoring the situation.