The “Shadow War” Scenario Inside The U.S

 Implications: The “Shadow War” Scenario Inside The U.S.

By syndicated investigative reporter, Michael, Mick Webster

One of the most alarming strategic implications is that if the U.S. were to launch a robust enforcement action that targeted cartel operations inside Mexico and the U.S., then we are not just facing a foreign cartel fighting us in its homeland — we are going to be dealing with these domestic organizations, and they may act as inside fighters and try to destroy us from within. Even US terrorist cell organizations could get involved it’s believed that there are hundreds if not thousands who could even meet up with and work with the US nine gangs, the very least they will be able to do is 

disrupt the United States and our military effort in Mexico. This would be very dangerous from Americans in our homeland. Don’t underestimate this problem we are facing a domestic nexus: cartel + Mexican Mafia + street gangs + potentially mafia-style money-laundering. The components of the threat:

• Because street networks are domestic (U.S.-based), the conflict becomes internal rather than purely “Mexican cartel vs U.S. Military and law enforcement.”
• Even now Mexican Mafia’s prison-based leadership means even incarcerated commanders direct operations outside — meaning the purview spans correctional institutions, community gangs, and international supply chains. For example: a 2025 U.S. District Court case found a Mexican Mafia member controlling and extorting drug proceeds from Latino street gangs in Pomona, including from incarcerated members. Department of Justice
• If the U.S. military or law enforcement “goes to war” vs Mexican cartels and the gangs inside U.S. territory, those alliances mean the front-line may include domestic street gangs and prison-gang operatives — complicating the narrative (“we’re fighting foreign drug bosses”) and increasing domestic impact.
• Mafia-style infiltration of fronts, money-laundering, and “taxation” of gang operations means the financial dimension is significant — not just violence and smuggling.
• The multi-layered structure (cartel supply → mafia oversight → street-gang distribution) is more resilient: losing one link may not disable the network.
  Hence, strategy must reflect this hybrid nature — it’s not just border interdiction but domestic gang enforcement + prison intelligence + financial disruption that could last for years.