The Deadly Stream: US Guns Fueling Violence in Mexico

Mexican filmmaker Víctor Valles’ documentary “Río de Armas, Dinero y Muerte” exposes the staggering influx of firearms from the United States into Mexico. This investigative work delves into the origins of the arms trade and its deadly impact on Mexican society.

In his gripping documentary Río de Armas, Dinero y Muerte (River of Guns, Money and Death), Mexican filmmaker Víctor Valles sheds light on a devastating problem that has plagued Mexico for more than a decade: the relentless flow of firearms from the United States. The documentary, which was nominated for a prestigious Emmy Award in the category “Outstanding Feature Story in Spanish,” offers an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms behind this deadly trade and its catastrophic effects on Mexican society.

The numbers are staggering: an estimated 2.5 million firearms have been shipped from the United States to Mexico over the past decade. According to data from Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), approximately 200,000 weapons enter the country each year through the nearly 3,000-kilometer border that separates the two countries. The border, one of the longest in the world, sees more than a million people and 300,000 vehicles pass through it every day. But amid this constant flow of human traffic, a far more sinister cargo—firearms—slips through the cracks, largely unchecked.

Valles, a journalist with N+ recognition for his investigative work, highlights this alarming reality in his documentary. “There is no filter to prevent weapons from entering our country,” he explains in an interview with EFE. “These weapons are making their way from the north to the south of Mexico and even to Central America, with little to no oversight.” The stark contrast in border security measures is clear: while the U.S. side is heavily guarded to prevent the flow of drugs and undocumented migrants, the smuggling of weapons to the south remains a largely uncontrolled activity.

The Mexican Mafia’s Role in Arms Trafficking

The documentary delves into the criminal networks that facilitate this deadly trade, establishing direct contact with the Mexican Mafia, a powerful criminal organization operating out of California. According to Valles, members of this group revealed to him how they legally purchase weapons in the United States, often with the help of individuals who can purchase firearms without arousing suspicion. In other cases, U.S. agents who obtain unreported weapons during operations or raids are implicated in the sale of these weapons to criminal organizations.

The weapons these groups obtain range from handguns to high-powered assault rifles, all of which are smuggled into Mexico with relative ease due to the lack of strict enforcement. “It’s alarming to see how many different weapons these organizations are able to acquire and bring into Mexico,” Valles noted. This uncontrolled flow of weapons provides criminal groups with the firepower they need to maintain their operations and expand their influence throughout the country.

The documentary vividly portrays the consequences of this arms trade, following the journey of these weapons from their entry into Mexico to their final destination in the hands of violent drug cartels, such as the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. The cameras capture harrowing scenes of young recruits—some as young as 16—undergoing military training using the weapons smuggled from the United States. These young people are being groomed to become the next generation of sicarios, or hitmen, in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.

Firearms and rising violence in Mexico

The impact of the arms trade on Mexico has been nothing short of devastating. During the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024), Mexico recorded approximately 134,000 gun homicides, with approximately 70% attributed to weapons smuggled from the United States. The documentary highlights the harsh reality of a country awash in illegal firearms, where criminal organizations are often better equipped than law enforcement agencies.

One of the most chilling examples of this was the 2019 incident known as the “Culiacanazo,” in which the Sinaloa Cartel launched a violent uprising in the city of Culiacán after the attempted arrest of Ovidio Guzmán, son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The cartel’s firepower, much of it smuggled from U.S. weapons, allowed them to overwhelm Mexican security forces and ultimately secure Guzmán’s release. “The sheer number of firearms in the hands of criminal gangs in Mexico is staggering,” Valles noted. “We saw it with our own eyes during the Culiacanazo. The criminals were armed to the teeth with weapons that were much better than what the authorities had.”

The documentary also discusses the limited legal options for obtaining firearms in Mexico. Unlike the United States, where guns are readily available, Mexico has strict gun control laws. The Secretariat of National Defense is the only agency authorized to sell firearms; buyers must meet strict requirements to obtain them. This inequality has only fueled the demand for illegal weapons, as criminals find it easier to smuggle weapons across the border than to obtain them through legal channels.

Tackling cross-border arms trafficking

While the documentary Rio de Armas, Dinero y Muerte has received international acclaim, it also serves as a call to action for Mexican and U.S. authorities. Valles is critical of the Mexican government’s response to the crisis, noting that while officials are aware of the situation, their efforts have been limited to filing a few lawsuits against U.S. gun manufacturers. “The Mexican government knows what’s happening, but they haven’t done enough to stop it,” Valles claims. “We need more than just lawsuits; we need real action to stop these weapons from crossing the border in the first place.”

The documentary highlights the need for closer cooperation between Mexico and the United States to tackle the arms trade. It calls for stricter controls on gun sales in the U.S., particularly in states bordering Mexico, and better cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border. Valles also advocates for greater public awareness of the problem, urging Mexican and U.S. citizens to recognize the human cost of the arms trade and pressure their governments to take action.

The Emmy nomination for Río de Armas, Dinero y Muerte is a testament to the importance of Valles’ work and the urgent need to address the flow of guns across borders. As the documentary reaches a wider audience, it has the potential to spark a much-needed conversation about the responsibilities of both countries to stem the violence fueled by the arms trade.

Also read: Mexico’s $10 billion lawsuit against US arms manufacturers faces major setback

More than just a documentary, Rio de Armas, Dinero y Muerte is a powerful exposé of the deadly consequences of the uncontrolled flow of firearms from the United States to Mexico. Through his investigative work, Víctor Valles has shed light on a critical issue that demands immediate attention from Mexican and U.S. authorities. As the documentary gains increasing recognition, it serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the arms trade and the urgent need for action to stem the tide of violence that has claimed so many lives in Mexico.