The Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful and notorious drug cartels in Mexico, has undergone significant changes since the imprisonment of its former leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera. With El Chapo behind bars, the cartel is now primarily run by four key factions, each led by prominent figures within the organization.
1. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada: El Mayo is considered the most influential and long-standing member of the Sinaloa Cartel. Known for his strategic thinking and low-profile approach, El Mayo has managed to evade capture for decades. He is believed to be the de facto leader of the cartel, overseeing its operations and maintaining alliances with other criminal organizations. Despite his advanced age, El Mayo continues to exert significant control over the cartel’s activities.
2. Rafael Caro Quintero: Caro Quintero is a notorious figure in the Mexican drug trade and one of the co-founders of the Guadalajara Cartel, which later morphed into the Sinaloa Cartel. After serving a prison sentence for the 1985 murder of a U.S. DEA agent, Caro Quintero was released in 2013 on a technicality. Since then, he has been actively involved in the cartel’s affairs, particularly in the production and trafficking of drugs.
3. Archivaldo Ivan Guzmán Salazar: As the brother of El Chapo, Archivaldo Ivan Guzmán Salazar, also known as “El Chapito,” has assumed a prominent role within the Sinaloa Cartel. He is believed to be involved in the cartel’s day-to-day operations, including drug trafficking and money laundering. While he may not possess the same level of charisma and influence as his brother, El Chapito still holds considerable sway within the organization.
4. Damaso López Núñez: López Núñez, also known as “El Licenciado,” was once a trusted lieutenant of El Chapo. However, after Guzmán’s arrest, López Núñez became embroiled in a power struggle within the cartel. He formed his own faction and challenged El Mayo’s leadership, resulting in a series of violent clashes between their respective factions. Despite his arrest in 2017, López Núñez continues to exert influence from prison, further fragmenting the Sinaloa Cartel’s power structure.
It is important to note that the dynamics within the Sinaloa Cartel are complex and constantly evolving. While these four individuals currently hold significant power, there may be other emerging leaders and factions vying for control. The cartel’s operations extend beyond drug trafficking to include diverse criminal activities such as human smuggling, extortion, and arms trafficking. This multifaceted criminal enterprise makes it challenging to pinpoint a single individual as the sole leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The Sinaloa Cartel is currently run by four key factions, each led by influential figures such as El Mayo Zambada, Rafael Caro Quintero, Archivaldo Ivan Guzmán Salazar, and Damaso López Núñez. However, the intricate nature of the cartel’s structure and the constant power struggles within its ranks make it difficult to determine a definitive leader. The Sinaloa Cartel remains a formidable force in the Mexican drug trade, posing significant challenges to law enforcement and security forces.