The Mexican Cartel, specifically the Sinaloa Cartel, is a criminal organization with significant influence in Mexico and beyond. At gaymexico.net, we strive to give reliable information about Mexico, and this includes understanding complex issues. Are you ready to find out what you need to know about the infamous Mexican Cartel? Read on to find out how the cartel operates, its history, leadership, and what the future may hold.
1. What Is The Mexican Cartel?
The Mexican Cartel, most notably the Sinaloa Cartel, is considered the most powerful drug trafficking organization in the Western Hemisphere, according to many sources. The Sinaloa Cartel is a network involving numerous significant Mexican drug lords who collaborate for protection and advantage.
During its existence, the Sinaloa Cartel has cultivated relationships within Mexico’s federal police and military, offering bribes to gain an advantage over rival organizations. The Sinaloa Cartel’s primary activities include the international trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin, mainly to the United States. Some factions deal drugs and tax other criminal networks, including human traffickers.
The Sinaloa Cartel, like other cartels, impacts Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community. While specific data is scarce, the LGBTQ+ community in cartel-dominated regions faces unique challenges. Extortion and forced displacement by cartels can disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ individuals may face increased discrimination and violence in areas where cartels exert social control, as cartels often enforce conservative social norms.
2. What Is The History Of The Mexican Cartel?
The history of the Mexican Cartel, now exemplified by the Sinaloa Cartel, dates back decades. The state of Sinaloa has been a hub for marijuana and heroin poppy cultivation and smuggling. Many of the country’s drug trafficking organizations originated in the region as small groups of peasant families living in rural areas of the state.
Origins and Early Development
In the 1960s and 1970s, families transitioned from smuggling to drug trafficking, especially marijuana. Pedro Avilés, one of the first large-scale marijuana traffickers, brought Joaquín Guzmán Loera, also known as El Chapo, into the business. Avilés was killed in 1978 during a shootout with police.
In the late 1970s, families expanded their activities and began transporting cocaine for Colombian and Central American traffickers, moving their operations to Guadalajara. Leaders included Rafael Caro Quintero, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo.
With the help of Honduran Juan Ramón Matta Ballesteros, they collaborated with Colombia’s Medellín Cartel. Matta Ballesteros, who lived part-time in Colombia, acted as the main intermediary between Colombian and Mexican traffickers, establishing drug trafficking patterns that continue today, including the movement of cocaine shipments by air and sea to Central America and Mexico, and then overland to the United States.
The Guadalajara Cartel and Its Fragmentation
In 1985, Mexican traffickers assassinated Enrique Camarena, an undercover agent for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Camarena’s death marked the beginning of the end for the Guadalajara Cartel. Pressure from the United States forced Mexican authorities to act, causing its leaders to flee. The remaining factions established bases in various parts of Mexico. The Arellano Félix brothers set up operations in Tijuana, Carrillo Fuentes’ family moved to Ciudad Juárez, and El Chapo and his associate, Héctor Luis Palma Salazar, remained in the Sinaloa area.
During this time, the Sinaloa Cartel allied with the Valencia family in Michoacán, forming the Milenio Cartel. This collaboration allowed them to maintain power over rivals and gain access to key Pacific ports, receiving precursor chemicals from China to enter the lucrative methamphetamine business.
Battles between these organizations started almost immediately. In November 1992, Guzmán sent 40 armed men to disrupt a Tijuana Cartel party in Puerto Vallarta, killing nine people. The Tijuana Cartel retaliated by attempting to assassinate Guzmán at the Guadalajara airport in 1993, instead killing a Mexican Catholic cardinal. Guzmán fled to Guatemala, where he was arrested two weeks later. Palma Salazar was arrested in 1995.
El Chapo’s Rise and Fall
Arturo Guzmán Loera and brothers Héctor, Alfredo, and Arturo Beltran Leyva continued to run the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations, with El Chapo maintaining some control from prison, passing messages through his lawyers. In 2001, Guzmán escaped from prison ahead of an extradition order to the United States and quickly regained full control of the organization.
In 2008, the alliance between Guzmán and the Beltran Leyvas broke down after the brothers suspected Guzmán of turning Alfredo in to the authorities. This triggered a bloody war, in which the Beltran Leyva brothers assassinated Guzmán’s son, Edgar, leading to battles across Sinaloa and parts of Chihuahua and Durango, resulting in the forced displacement of hundreds of people.
During this period, Guzmán became the most visible head of the Sinaloa Cartel, alongside Ismael Zambada García, alias El Mayo, and Juan José Esparragoza Moreno, alias El Azul.
In early 2010, Mexican authorities killed Ignácio Nacho Coronel in a gunfight, severing the Sinaloa Cartel’s link to the Milenio Cartel, resulting in a rift between the two organizations. Further fractures within the Milenio Cartel eventually gave birth to the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación – CJNG), which today is one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s main rivals.
Recent Developments and Leadership Struggles
Guzmán was arrested again in Mexico in February 2014, leaving the leadership to El Azul and El Mayo. El Azul reportedly died of a heart attack in June 2014, though rumors persist that he is still alive. Meanwhile, Guzmán cemented his status as Mexico’s greatest criminal legend when he escaped from prison again in July 2015, using a tunnel in his bathroom.
Guzmán’s third capture in 2017 and subsequent extradition to the United States sparked an internal struggle for control of the Sinaloa Cartel. Between 2017 and 2021, there were clashes between armed groups linked to El Mayo and El Chapo’s sons, some allegedly orchestrated by El Chapo’s former right-hand man, Dámaso López Núñez, alias El Licenciado. El Licenciado and his son, Dámaso López Serrano, alias Mini Lic, were later arrested and remain in US custody.
3. Who Are The Leaders Of The Mexican Cartel?
The leadership structure of the Sinaloa Cartel is complex, and does not follow a hierarchical structure. It operates as a network of various cells that cooperate, often outsourcing operations abroad and within Mexico to local partners.
Currently, the Sinaloa Cartel has at least two leadership structures. The first is commanded by loyalists of El Mayo, while the other is composed of El Chapo’s sons: Joaquín Guzmán López, Ovidio Guzmán López, Iván Archivaldo, and Jesús Alfredo, known collectively as Chapitos.
Each faction has armed branches or mini armies under its command, allowing them to protect and seize territories. The Chapitos are associated with groups like the Ninis, the Salazar, Gente Nueva, and the Chimales, while El Mayo’s networks collaborate with the Antrax and the Rusos.
The four Chapitos have become priority targets for Mexican and US authorities. Ovidio Guzmán was arrested by Mexican authorities in January 2023, following a failed attempt in 2019, and was extradited to the United States in September 2023. Joaquín was arrested in the United States along with El Mayo in July 2024.
4. Where Is The Mexican Cartel Located Geographically?
The Sinaloa Cartel is based in the state of Sinaloa and in some municipalities of nearby states, including Durango and Chihuahua, forming the Golden Triangle. This area is home to many major traffickers and their families, who are mainly involved in methamphetamine and fentanyl production, as well as the illegal cultivation of marijuana and poppy. In Culiacán, the state capital, the Sinaloa Cartel has increased its involvement in drug dealing, especially marijuana and methamphetamine-related products.
The organization also has cells operating in other states, such as Sonora, Baja California, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Chiapas. This provides them with access to border crossings, drug corridors, and money laundering opportunities. The group collects taxes from other criminal networks, including human traffickers, in some areas, especially along the border.
The networks associated with the Sinaloa Cartel also have clients on almost every continent, as well as suppliers of precursor chemicals in China, India, and other Asian countries. They frequently send emissaries to Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador to ensure a steady production and flow of cocaine.
5. Who Are The Allies And Enemies Of The Mexican Cartel?
Family and compadrazgo (kinship) are the main links among the top leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel. The group also forms transactional alliances with local groups to access key territories.
Since its break with the Beltrán Leyva, the Sinaloa Cartel has created temporary alliances with former enemies of the Gulf Cartel and the Familia Michoacana and has reportedly negotiated a pact with the Tijuana Cartel.
The Sinaloa Cartel has established strong connections with Mexico’s political and economic elite, penetrating the government and security forces. It often opts for bribery over violence and alliances over battles, but it also uses its forces to invade areas it seeks to control.
The cartel’s most powerful contacts were allegedly formed during National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional – PAN) administrations, which may explain its growth in the last decade. Former presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón, both of PAN, launched numerous offensives against trafficking organizations, capturing leaders such as Osiel Cárdenas Guillén of the Gulf Cartel and Benjamín Arellano Félix of the Tijuana Cartel. In 2010 and 2011, officials issued statements and released a video denying any link between the group and the PAN.
Later, suspicions were confirmed following the arrest in the United States of Genaro García Luna, the secretary of public security during the Calderón administration. During his trial in New York, prosecutors presented testimony from drug traffickers who claimed to have bribed the former official with millions of dollars.
Currently, the CJNG is the Sinaloa Cartel’s main rival, but the two organizations sometimes work together at certain stages of drug supply chains, such as sharing suppliers of precursor chemicals for methamphetamine and fentanyl production.
6. What Are The Prospects Of The Mexican Cartel?
The Sinaloa Cartel has proven resilient despite changes in the international drug landscape and the capture and deaths of its leaders, largely due to its network structure and entrepreneurial approach.
This structure has enabled the cartel to avoid scrutiny regarding its violence and effectively replace lost members.
However, its active involvement in fentanyl trafficking to the United States has made its leaders priority targets for the US government. This has resulted in increased captures and the dismantling of financial networks, which could force the group to restructure once more.
7. How Does The Mexican Cartel Impact The LGBTQ+ Community In Mexico?
The Mexican Cartel’s influence permeates various facets of Mexican society, including the LGBTQ+ community. While direct statistics are scarce, the LGBTQ+ population in cartel-controlled areas encounters distinct difficulties:
Increased Vulnerability
The LGBTQ+ community is more susceptible to extortion and displacement in regions dominated by cartels. Cartels often impose strict social norms, which can lead to increased discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people.
Limited Access to Justice
The presence of cartels can weaken the rule of law, making it more difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to seek justice for crimes committed against them. Fear of retaliation can prevent victims from reporting crimes, allowing impunity to thrive.
Impact on LGBTQ+ Tourism
Cartel-related violence and instability can deter LGBTQ+ tourists from visiting certain areas of Mexico. This can hurt local economies that depend on tourism revenue and limit opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding.
Community Resilience
Despite these challenges, LGBTQ+ communities in Mexico have shown remarkable resilience. Local organizations and activists work tirelessly to provide support, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and create safe spaces for individuals to express themselves.
Seeking Information and Support
For LGBTQ+ individuals and allies interested in learning more about the situation in Mexico, several resources are available:
- Human Rights Watch: Reports on human rights issues affecting LGBTQ+ people in Mexico.
- Local LGBTQ+ Organizations: Groups like Letra S and Cuenta Conmigo provide direct support and advocacy.
- Academic Research: Studies from institutions like the UCLA Williams Institute offer insights into LGBTQ+ issues in Mexico.
8. How Does The US Government Combat The Mexican Cartel?
The U.S. government employs various strategies to combat Mexican drug cartels, primarily focusing on disrupting their operations and weakening their infrastructure.
Law Enforcement Cooperation
The U.S. collaborates with Mexican law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, coordinate operations, and extradite cartel members to face charges in the U.S. These efforts aim to dismantle cartel networks and bring leaders to justice.
Financial Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury targets the financial networks of cartels by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in money laundering and other financial crimes. This limits their ability to access funds and operate globally.
Drug Interdiction
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other agencies work to intercept drug shipments entering the U.S. from Mexico. These efforts include increased surveillance, technology deployment, and collaboration with international partners.
Capacity Building
The U.S. provides training and resources to Mexican law enforcement and judicial officials to improve their capacity to investigate and prosecute drug-related crimes. This support strengthens Mexico’s ability to combat cartels independently.
Public Awareness Campaigns
The U.S. government conducts public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of drug use and the role of cartels in fueling addiction and violence. These campaigns aim to reduce demand for drugs and mobilize communities to support anti-cartel efforts.
9. What Laws Has Mexico Passed To Combat Organized Crime?
Mexico has enacted various laws to combat organized crime, including drug cartels. These laws aim to provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to investigate, prosecute, and dismantle criminal organizations.
Federal Law Against Organized Crime
This law defines organized crime and establishes penalties for individuals involved in such activities. It also provides for the seizure and forfeiture of assets obtained through illegal means.
National Code of Criminal Procedures
This code sets out the rules and procedures for criminal investigations and prosecutions in Mexico. It includes provisions for the use of wiretaps, informants, and other investigative techniques to gather evidence against organized crime groups.
Extradition Treaties
Mexico has extradition treaties with numerous countries, including the United States, which allow for the transfer of criminal suspects to face charges in other jurisdictions. This helps to ensure that cartel members who flee Mexico can be brought to justice.
Asset Forfeiture Laws
These laws allow the government to seize and forfeit assets that are linked to organized crime activities. This helps to deprive cartels of the financial resources they need to operate and expand.
Witness Protection Programs
Mexico has witness protection programs to provide security and support to individuals who provide information about organized crime activities. This encourages people to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement.
10. What Can I Do To Stay Safe While Traveling In Mexico?
Traveling in Mexico can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to take precautions to stay safe, especially given the presence of cartels in certain areas.
Research Your Destination
Before you travel, research your destination to understand the local security situation. Check for travel advisories issued by your government and be aware of areas with high levels of cartel activity.
Avoid High-Risk Areas
Steer clear of areas known for cartel violence, especially at night. Stick to well-traveled routes and tourist destinations, and avoid venturing into unknown or isolated areas.
Be Discreet
Avoid drawing attention to yourself by flashing expensive jewelry, electronics, or large amounts of cash. Dress modestly and avoid discussing sensitive topics in public.
Use Reliable Transportation
Use reputable transportation services, such as licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps. Avoid hailing taxis on the street, especially at night. If possible, arrange for transportation through your hotel or a trusted source.
Stay Informed
Stay updated on local news and events during your trip. Monitor social media and news outlets for any reports of security incidents or potential threats.
Trust Your Instincts
If you feel uneasy or unsafe in a particular situation, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from hotel staff, tour guides, or other trusted individuals.
Emergency Contacts
Keep a list of emergency contacts with you, including the local police, ambulance, and your embassy or consulate. Know how to reach them in case of an emergency.
Staying informed and taking basic safety precautions can help you minimize risks and enjoy a safe and memorable trip to Mexico.
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FAQ About The Mexican Cartel
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Mexican Cartel:
1. What is the main goal of the Mexican Cartel?
The main goal of the Mexican Cartel, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel, is to control drug trafficking routes and maximize profits from the production, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs.
2. How do Mexican cartels make money?
Mexican cartels primarily make money through the production, trafficking, and sale of illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. They also engage in other criminal activities such as extortion, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
3. Where do Mexican cartels operate?
Mexican cartels operate primarily in Mexico, but they also have a significant presence in the United States and other countries around the world. They control key drug trafficking routes and have established networks for distributing drugs to consumers in various markets.
4. Are all Mexican cartels involved in violence?
Yes, most Mexican cartels are involved in violence to some extent. Violence is often used to protect territory, intimidate rivals, and enforce control over drug trafficking operations.
5. How do Mexican cartels recruit members?
Mexican cartels recruit members through a variety of means, including coercion, intimidation, and promises of money and power. They often target vulnerable individuals, such as unemployed youth and those with criminal backgrounds.
6. What is the role of corruption in the Mexican drug trade?
Corruption plays a significant role in the Mexican drug trade, as cartels often bribe government officials, law enforcement officers, and members of the military to protect their operations and evade prosecution.
7. How do Mexican cartels launder money?
Mexican cartels launder money through a variety of means, including front companies, real estate investments, and offshore bank accounts. They also use money laundering techniques such as structuring and smurfing to disguise the origins of their funds.
8. What is the impact of Mexican cartels on U.S. drug use?
Mexican cartels play a significant role in supplying drugs to the U.S. market, which contributes to drug addiction, overdose deaths, and other public health problems.
9. What is the future of Mexican drug cartels?
The future of Mexican drug cartels is uncertain, but it is likely that they will continue to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions and law enforcement strategies.
10. How can individuals help combat the Mexican Cartel?
Individuals can help combat the Mexican Cartel by supporting efforts to reduce drug demand, promote education and prevention programs, and hold accountable those who profit from the drug trade.
