In Sinaloa State, Mexico's cartel stronghold, residents are increasingly open to U.S. military intervention against powerful criminal groups. Sinaloa State lost nearly 10 percent of its GDP in 2024 and 2025 due to relentless cartel violence, according to business leaders. The conflict erupted in July 2024 when the Sinaloa Cartel fractured, igniting a brutal war that has claimed thousands of lives. Businesses have shuttered, families fled, and Coppel department stores saw a 25 percent sales decline in the capital city.

While most Mexicans oppose President Trump's proposal, residents in this battered region feel abandoned by their government. 'What else is there left to do?' asked Oliver Zamora, a 23-year-old meat seller desperate for peace. The cartels, however, are preparing for potential strikes, stockpiling weapons and installing anti-drone systems. Mexican authorities claim recent security gains, but homicides remain high and fear persists across the state.