Mexican Cartels are Getting Frustrated and Desperate to Move Product [WATCH]

War Room host Steve Bannon spoke with journalist Ben Bergquam this week about the evolving situation at the southern border.

Bergquam, reporting live from the U.S.-Mexico border, detailed how the reduction in illegal crossings has shifted the burden from Border Patrol agents to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

During the interview, Bannon asked Bergquam whether the crisis had now placed more pressure on ICE rather than Border Patrol.

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“No doubt about it. It’s clearly shifted to the 15 million illegals that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris allowed into our country over the last four years,” Bergquam responded.

Bergquam noted that while the overall number of illegal crossings has significantly decreased, Border Patrol agents are now able to focus on their primary enforcement duties instead of processing large numbers of illegal immigrants.

“But at the same time, they are thankful now they are actually able to do their job,” he added.

Bergquam also provided insight into cartel activity along the border.

While the number of apprehensions has decreased significantly compared to two years ago, he emphasized that the cartels remain active.

“This is not stopping what the cartels are doing. Just to give you an idea, they slowed down. The cartel activity from two years ago to today—it went from 2,500 apprehensions to this week, it’s been around 100 or less every single day. So, a dramatic change,” Bergquam explained.

However, he noted that cartel activity appeared to increase again this week, with agents encountering more groups attempting to cross the border.

“What appears to have happened today is they have revved back up again. We saw multiple groups, we caught multiple groups. We were in pursuit, we chased them down. We caught several, they were throwing rocks at us,” Bergquam said.

“It’s clear the cartels are getting frustrated and they are getting desperate to start moving more people and product,” he added.

Bannon and Bergquam also discussed the role of Mexico in managing border security. Bannon questioned whether Mexican authorities were failing to confront cartel operations near the border.

“You seem to imply that they’re not sending the troops up either to confront the cartels or back the cartels off as they secure their side of the border,” Bannon said.

Bergquam explained that Mexican authorities are hesitant to engage in direct conflict with the cartels.

“You start sending in forces, you are starting a war with the cartel, and so I think they are kind of picking and choosing how far they want to push the cartels,” Bergquam said.

He went on to describe Mexico’s struggles with organized crime, stating, “Mexico is basically a failed NARCO state.”

“Every level of government is corrupted,” Bergquam added, reinforcing concerns that cartel influence extends deep into Mexico’s institutions.

As the dynamics of border security shift, ICE is expected to take on a larger role in handling the influx of illegal immigrants already inside the country, while Border Patrol continues to monitor crossings and cartel operations.

With tensions remaining high, both U.S. and Mexican authorities will need to adapt to the evolving challenges posed by criminal networks and illegal migration.

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