The number of active women in Mexican criminal groups has risen notably in recent years, a trend confirmed by the Accomplices report presented by the International Crisis Group. In the past, women in cartels and organized crime were mainly seen as victims, yet a growing segment is stepping into roles with responsibility and leadership, challenging traditional patriarchy that often goes unseen by security forces.
Researchers note that these women take on tasks similar to those performed by men. Some run small-scale operations such as drug dealing, while others handle car theft, auditing, or even killing. For some, illicit activity begins as a means of earning a livelihood, but for others it leads to higher positions within the criminal hierarchy, according to Angelica Ospina, one of the report’s researchers. While there is no official nationwide data on female participation in organized crime, media sources commonly estimate that women make up roughly five to eight percent of active members.
The presence of women in cartels often reflects entrenched gender norms within Mexican society. Many women learn to stay inconspicuous, which can make them harder to detect. Their gender can also facilitate access to male victims and may reduce suspicion, a dynamic reported by researchers. The same stereotypes influence perceptions of women in control roles within drug trafficking networks, where gender expectations can hinder the perception of them as actual perpetrators and help them evade authorities in trafficking cases.
Volunteer recruitment
Recruitment frequently occurs through ongoing contact with violence. More than half of the active and retired women interviewed for the study reported experiences of physical violence in childhood, and a significant number had endured sexual violence. Many entered criminal life during adolescence, began using illicit substances around ages 12 to 13, and most had their first child before turning 18. For many, criminal life becomes a way to secure income, self-defense, and a means to avoid victimization. When these women join groups, they often gain a sense of untouchability against those who harmed them, according to the researchers.
Recruitment often unfolds organically and discreetly. Spouses or other family members who are already involved in crime may accompany them to carry out orders, sometimes due to familial ties or where illegal substances are bought and consumed. Women frequently join to shield themselves from gender-based violence and to acquire power and respect that may be lacking in a lawless environment. This injection of women into the ranks strengthens control within organizations, and researchers note that the children of involved women can become weapons used by superiors to coerce others.
Elimination of gender roles
Contrary to popular belief, the study suggests that many women join criminal outfits of their own accord. Sandra Ley, who coordinates the Mexican Evalua Security Program, emphasizes that female participation can challenge and disprove common myths about gender roles. Women have been observed occupying high positions within cartels, indicating that their influence extends beyond peripheral duties and into leadership corridors.
Researchers also warn that the involvement of mothers in criminal networks can have adverse effects on their children. When a mother embraces crime, teaching and awareness about legitimate paths may erode, leaving the child with fewer positive examples. If a mother is incarcerated, the child faces the additional challenge of navigating life with limited support, which can increase the risk of the child becoming entangled in criminal dynamics.