Editorial standards

Cartel activity, narco news and the border

The Narco Blog focuses on breaking and developing news about cartel activity, drug trafficking and security across Mexico and the U.S.–Mexico border. We cover arrests, investigations, criminal cases and the impact of organized crime on border communities.

Developing stories

Early accounts can change. We identify the source of a report, distinguish allegations from established findings and flag conflicting accounts. Updates to developing stories are distinguished from corrections.

Sources and attribution

Our articles summarize reported developments and link to supporting sources. Two outlets repeating the same statement are not independent confirmation.

Editorial review

Articles receive editorial review before publication. We do not invent witnesses, quotes, credentials or on-the-ground reporting. Articles may carry the publication byline; that does not imply a particular staff size or reporting location.

Corrections and photographs

Material factual errors receive visible, dated corrections. Archive or illustrative photographs are labeled so readers can distinguish them from images of the reported event.