ICE ARRESTS BOXER IN CALIFORNIA
JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, JR BOXING MATCH WITH JAKE PAUL, YOUTUBER
BY SNN.BZ STAFF MEXICO
BOXER JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR TIED TO SINALOA CARTEL
Presidents Sheinbaum and Trump Forge a Historic Partnership Against Cartels
In a remarkable display of international cooperation, Mexican authorities discretely sent an active arrest warrant to U.S. Homeland Security about a Sinaloa Cartel affiliate who is also a professional boxer, leading to his swift arrest in Studio City, California where he shares a home with his American born wife.
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.’s wife, Frida Munoz Chavez, was previously married to the son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison. The son, Edgar, was assassinated in 2008.
This high-profile operation underscores the unprecedented collaboration between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump, whose shared commitment to safety and security has transformed the fight against drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border. Since Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, the two leaders have cultivated a partnership reminiscent of the storied friendship between President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, blending personal rapport with a resolute united front against the cartels that have long plagued their shared border.
A New Era of Cooperation
When Claudia Sheinbaum assumed the presidency of Mexico, she signaled a decisive shift from her predecessor’s policies, prioritizing a hardline stance against organized crime. Unlike former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “hugs, not bullets” approach, Sheinbaum has embraced aggressive enforcement, deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to Mexico’s northern border and overseeing the arrest of nearly 900 cartel operatives in Sinaloa alone since October 2024. Her administration’s actions reflect a deep commitment to restoring order and safety in Mexico, particularly in regions like Sinaloa, a stronghold of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.
Across the border, President Donald Trump, re-elected in 2024, has made border security and the fight against fentanyl trafficking a cornerstone of his second term. Designating six Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, as foreign terrorist organizations, Trump has ramped up surveillance, increased U.S. troop presence along the border, and pushed for decisive action against drug traffickers.
The American President’s aggressive posture has been met with a willing partner in Sheinbaum, who, despite rejecting unilateral U.S. military intervention, has embraced collaboration based on mutual respect and shared goals.
Their partnership came into sharp focus when Mexican law enforcement shared intelligence with U.S. Homeland Security about a Sinaloa Cartel affiliate traveling to Miami who is also a professional boxer. Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., whose identity had not been publicly disclosed, was flagged by Mexican authorities, who provided detailed documentation to ensure his arrest would take effect during his Miami stay.
The operation was seamless:
U.S. agents apprehended Chavez Jr. in California after the Miami bout disrupting a potential cartel operation and sending a clear message that neither country will tolerate criminal subterfuge. This success is a testament to the robust information-sharing mechanisms established under Sheinbaum and Trump’s leadership.
A Friendship Forged in Crisis
The personal and political chemistry between Sheinbaum and Trump has drawn comparisons to the legendary Reagan-Thatcher alliance. Like Reagan and Thatcher, who navigated Cold War tensions with a shared vision of strength and resolve, Sheinbaum and Trump have found common ground in their determination to protect their nations from the destabilizing influence of cartels.
Their frequent phone calls—covering security, trade, and immigration—have fostered a relationship built on candor and mutual respect, even when disagreements arise. Sheinbaum’s firm stance on Mexican sovereignty, exemplified by her rejection of U.S. troops on Mexican soil, has not derailed their cooperation but instead clarified the terms of their partnership: collaboration, not subordination.
This friendship has translated into tangible results. In February 2025, Mexico delivered 29 high-profile cartel operatives, including notorious figures like Rafael Caro Quintero, to U.S. custody—a historic move hailed as a “turning point” by U.S. law enforcement. Sheinbaum’s administration has also seized 20 million doses of fentanyl and arrested thousands of cartel-linked individuals, weakening the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has bolstered border security with increased surveillance flights and troop deployments, targeting the flow of drugs and illegal arms. The arrest of the Sinaloa-affiliated boxer in Miami is just one example of how their coordinated efforts are disrupting cartel networks that exploit cross-border movement.
Strengthening Border Security and Bilateral Ties
The friendship between Sheinbaum and Trump has fortified the political and logistical ties essential for effective border security. Their countries, bound by a 2,000-mile shared border, face intertwined challenges: drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and arms smuggling. By aligning their strategies, the two leaders have created a united front that addresses these issues holistically.
Mexico’s deployment of troops to the border, coupled with Trump’s enhanced U.S. military presence, has significantly reduced illegal crossings and drug smuggling. Moreover, Sheinbaum’s push to curb arms trafficking from the U.S.—an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 American firearms smuggled into Mexico annually—has prompted commitments from the Trump administration to crack down on gunrunning networks.
This collaboration extends beyond enforcement. Sheinbaum’s creation of an elite National Operations Unit (UNO), led by Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, has revitalized Mexico’s investigative capabilities, drawing on former Federal Police expertise to target cartel leaders.
The unit’s role in high-profile arrests, including the Miami boxer case, demonstrates Mexico’s proactive stance. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has shared intelligence and resources, ensuring that operations like the Miami arrest are executed with precision. The result is a synergy that has disrupted cartel operations on an unprecedented scale, with cartel operatives reporting genuine fear of arrest or death for the first time in years.
A United Front Against a Common Enemy
The cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel, have long exploited the U.S.-Mexico border, fueling violence and the fentanyl crisis that claims thousands of lives annually. Sheinbaum and Trump’s partnership has shifted the balance, turning the cartels from hunters to the hunted.
The Miami arrest illustrates this shift: a cartel operative, cloaked in the legitimacy of a sporting event, was unmasked through bilateral intelligence-sharing and swiftly brought to justice. This operation, like the extradition of 29 cartel leaders and the surrender of 17 Sinaloa Cartel family members to U.S. authorities, reflects a new reality: the cartels can no longer operate with impunity.
Critics argue that Sheinbaum’s nationalism and Trump’s aggressive rhetoric could strain relations, but their pragmatic cooperation has proven resilient. Sheinbaum’s insistence on sovereignty complements Trump’s focus on results, creating a partnership that respects Mexico’s autonomy while advancing shared goals. Their ability to navigate tensions—such as Sheinbaum’s rejection of U.S. troops or Trump’s tariff threats—mirrors the Reagan-Thatcher dynamic, where disagreements were managed through open dialogue and a shared commitment to larger objectives.
A Model for the Future
The Sheinbaum-Trump alliance is redefining U.S.-Mexico relations, proving that neighboring nations can tackle shared threats through trust and coordination. Their success in targeting the Sinaloa Cartel, as seen in the Miami arrest, sends a powerful message: the days of cartel dominance are numbered.
By combining Mexico’s on-the-ground enforcement with U.S. intelligence and resources, the two leaders have created a blueprint for bilateral security cooperation. Their friendship, like that of Reagan and Thatcher, is not just a personal bond but a strategic asset, ensuring that both nations are safer, stronger, and united against a common enemy. As Sheinbaum declared, “Mexico must be respected,” and Trump echoed, “We’re making the border secure like never before.” Together, they are rewriting the story of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the notorious drug lord, had several sons, one of whom, Édgar Guzmán López, was murdered in 2008 in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Édgar’s daughter, Frida Sofía Guzmán Muñoz, has pursued a career as a singer.
She is the daughter of Édgar Guzmán López and Frida Muñoz, and the stepdaughter of boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.
Frida Sofía has released music, including the single “Andas Contando,” and participated in music competitions like Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the notorious drug lord, had several sons, one of whom, Édgar Guzmán López, was murdered in 2008 in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Édgar’s daughter, Frida Sofía Guzmán Muñoz, has pursued a career as a singer. She is the daughter of Édgar Guzmán López and Frida Muñoz, and the stepdaughter of boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.
Frida Sofía has released music, including the single “Andas Contando,” and participated in music competitions like Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento.
