The capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the last of the old guard Mexican drug traffickers, by U.S. authorities is expected to usher in a new era for Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel. Zambada’s arrest could lead to internal conflicts within the cartel as well as potential rise in violence with a younger generation of traffickers taking charge. The Mexican government has deployed special forces to Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, amid concerns of escalating violence across Mexico.
Zambada, known for his corruption and negotiation skills, was tricked into flying to the U.S. where he was arrested along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of El Chapo Guzman. Mexican President Lopez Obrador, though critical of taking down drug kingpins, considered the arrests an “advance.” Zambada’s arrest could provide valuable information for U.S. prosecutors, given his extensive corruption networks across Mexico.
Zambada’s arrest comes at a time when Mexico has been unable to control its violence. President Lopez Obrador’s approach to focus on addressing root causes of violence instead of confronting cartels head-on has caused tensions with U.S. authorities. Zambada’s arrest could potentially lead to a power shift within the Sinaloa cartel and further conflict among rival factions. His cooperation and willingness to provide intelligence could be crucial in understanding the cartel’s operations and impact on drug trafficking.
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