Mexican cartel gives out food amid COVID-19

Guadalajara, Mexico — We've seen the need here in the U.S. this was the image seen all over the U.S. a line at the San Antonio Food Bank as thousands in San Antonio seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donations here come from non- profit agencies, the government and philanthropist. Across the border just 2 and a half hours south of San Antonio in Mexico there is also need, but these supplies aren't coming from the government or a non profit.

"It’s a psychological campaign that they are waging out there," Dante Sorianello, the assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in the San Antonio district.

Food from the cartels with love.

"When the government or the main government is not stepping up to the plate, these cartels are going to make sure that they utilize any means necessary. This time, including food , which they probably stole from commercial cargo to give to the community and that way they have that community support and they have that buffer between them and the entities of law and order," said Special Agent Sorianello.

From the Sinaloa Cartel to their rivals, CJNG or Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, in Mexico, where the government is lacking the cartels and their families have stepped in to win the hearts of those in need. In this video posted in social medias in Mexico these donations are said to be from the Viagras in Michoacan. Perhaps the most surprising video coming out of Mexico is of these two ladies, one of them is Alejandrina one of El Chapos' daughters.

While their father sits in a U.S. Super Max Federal Prison in Colorado, his daughter hands out food in Guadalajara, courtesy of their company "El Chapo 701"

Their faces protected by a mask with a silhoutte of El Chapo on it. In the boxes... rice, oil, sugar and other necessities.

But this isn't all about giving according to the DEA, this is an opportunity to gain power. And its actually a page out of an old playbook from one of the most notorious cartel leaders in the world.

"This is something that Pablo Escobar and the Medellin cartel did many years ago to try to get members of the population loyal to his organization," said Special Agent Sorianello.

We saw it in the 80's and 90's in Colombia, according to Special Agent Dante Sorianello, who is with the DEA and use to be assigned to Colombia.

"The Colombian cartel will built schools and will give money to the church and they’ll build soccer fields for the community, because if you have the community involved and they look at you as Robin Hood, you’re helping the community. You’ll get a lot out of it in terms of the cartel mentality," said Ari Jimenez, Former Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge.

And this will make those receiving the aid into the eyes and ears of the cartels.

"They’re going to have people calling them saying, 'hey we see the Mexican marines rolling towards your area, get out of there, that’s why they’re doing it . They’re not doing it out of the kindness of their hearts," said Jimemez.