By Frente Unido 
The capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader and founder of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, on July 25 has been a major success for the authorities, leading to a careful and meticulous undercover operation by the FBI. Zambada has long been one of the US government’s most wanted criminals, and his arrest may now mark a major turning point in the fight against drug trafficking in Mexico.
Zambada’s arrest took place simultaneously with the capture of Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of his former partner and Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Both were arrested on July 25 in El Paso, marking a major coup for US authorities who have long followed the criminal activities of this dangerous drug trafficking duo.
At 76 years old, Zambada had an active reward of around $15 million from the US government, demonstrating the importance he held in the drug trafficking world and the magnitude of his crimes. He will face multiple charges in the United States for running the Sinaloa Cartel’s criminal operations, including the manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl, the highly addictive and lethal drug that is causing millions of deaths a year worldwide.
This capture is not only significant for the arrest of a cartel leader, but also marks a potential turning point in the dynamics of drug trafficking in Mexico. The Sinaloa Cartel has long been one of the most powerful and influential in the country, and the capture of its leader could bring about major changes in the organization’s structure and strategy.
El Mayo Zambada: Sinaloa Cartel’s Elusive Kingpin
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia is a quintessential shadow leader. He is one of the most powerful and enigmatic figures in the drug trafficking world. As co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, he had managed to evade capture for decades while maintaining a stronghold in the international drug trade. El Mayo has been deeply involved in drug trafficking since the 1970s. His alliance with the infamous Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera has shaped the organized crime landscape in Mexico and beyond, presenting significant challenges to both the Mexican and US governments.
The Zambada-Guzman alliance
El Mayo Zambada and El Chapo Guzman, two of the most notorious drug traffickers in history, joined forces to form a strong alliance within the Sinaloa Cartel. This alliance was the key to the creation of one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world, and was based on a combination of mutual respect, experience, resources and connections.
While El Chapo was making a name for himself with dramatic prison escapes and high-profile captures, El Mayo worked in the shadows, strategically directing the cartel’s logistical and financial operations. His ability to establish sophisticated smuggling routes and his influence to infiltrate various layers of government and law enforcement was critical to the cartel’s success.
Their alliance allowed the Sinaloa Cartel to expand its reach, establish sophisticated smuggling routes and infiltrate various levels of government and law enforcement. This alliance had proven resilient, even in the face of El Chapo’s capture and extradition to the United States.
El Mayo’s role: Zambada was the mastermind behind the cartel’s extensive network of safe houses, shipping routes and financial flows.
El Chapo’s role: El Chapo, on the other hand, was in charge of handling negotiations with rival cartels and government forces, as well as dealing with any threats against the cartel. His aggressive tactics and high-profile operations made him a feared and respected figure in the drug trafficking world.
Corruption
But none of this would have been possible without the government corruption that plagued the country. With generous bribes, the cartel ensured that their drugs got through and the law looked the other way. Their motto was simple but effective: “plata o plomo” (silver or lead). Either you took the money or you faced bullets.
Strategic arrests
When El Chapo was arrested, many thought it was no coincidence. Some believed that these arrests actually benefited certain people within the cartel, such as El Mayo, helping him take more control. It is as if even the captures were part of a larger plan.