Mexican cartels are directing US gangs to target federal agents in Chicago, DHS confirms

Federal authorities have confirmed that foreign criminal networks, including Mexican drug cartels, have issued explicit orders to US-based gangs to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents operating in Chicago.

The US Department of Homeland Security made the declaration in an Oct. 14 statement, citing “credible intelligence” gathered through joint investigations with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs and Border Protection.

The statement warned that Mexican cartels have been offering tiered bounties for attacks on American law enforcement officers. According to internal DEA reports cited by DHS, payments range from $2,000 for tracking agent movements to as much as $50,000 for killing senior federal officials. These payouts, allegedly funneled through Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, are being distributed via local gangs including the Latin Kings.

Federal court filings support the claim. On Oct. 7, authorities arrested Juan Espinoza Martinez, described as a high-ranking Latin Kings leader, for offering $10,000 to murder Gregory Bovino, the head of CBP operations in Chicago. The affidavit describes Snapchat messages soliciting the hit in retaliation for a September incident where federal agents fatally shot a suspect during a raid.

Officials say the threat intensified during “Operation Midway Blitz,” a Trump administration initiative launched in late September to dismantle cartel-linked networks and violent gangs in Chicago. DHS reports that some domestic extremist groups, including Antifa-affiliated factions, have been assisting cartel-linked gangs by identifying agents online, staging disruptive protests, and obstructing raids.

“Spotter Networks: In neighborhoods like Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village, gang members affiliated with groups such as the Latin Kings have deployed “spotters” on rooftops equipped with firearms and radio communications. These individuals track ICE and CBP movements in real-time, relaying coordinates. This surveillance has enabled ambushes and disruptions during routine enforcement actions, including recent raids under Operation Midway Blitz,” DHS reported.

Operation Midway Blitz has made over 1,500 arrests across Illinois, including of pedophiles, vicious gang members, and armed robbers.

One major incident occurred on Sept. 28, when ten vehicles rammed CBP agents during a pursuit, resulting in a gunfight and multiple arrests.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have condemned the operations as “war zone tactics” that terrorize immigrant communities.

So far, no actual assassinations of federal agents have been reported, though officials say the threat remains active and evolving. DHS maintains that the warnings are based on “direct intelligence” and that operations will continue in cooperation with the Justice Department and state law enforcement partners.