Arrest of Ismael Zambada Raises Concerns of Violence in Mexico
- Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a key leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested by U.S. authorities, marking a significant shift in the cartel's operations.
- His capture raises fears of violent reactions among rival groups and cartel affiliates in Mexico.
- Experts warn that this event could lead to increased instability and bloodshed in Sinaloa.
The recent arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa cartel, has sparked fears among experts that it may trigger a new wave of violence in Mexico. Analysts warn that Zambada's removal could ignite an internal power struggle within the cartel, reminiscent of past incidents following the arrests or deaths of other drug kingpins. This situation could also pave the way for a younger, more violent generation of traffickers to assert control. In response to these concerns, the Mexican government has deployed 200 special forces members to Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state. U.S. officials revealed that Zambada was lured into flying to the U.S., where he was arrested alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that Mexico was not involved in the U.S. operation but viewed the arrests as a positive development. He has often criticized the strategy of targeting drug kingpins, suggesting that political adversaries exaggerate the violence in Mexico. Guzmán López, considered the least influential of the "Chapitos," a faction within the Sinaloa cartel, has been implicated in the trafficking of fentanyl and the establishment of drug production labs. His arrest, along with Zambada's, raises questions about the future dynamics of the cartel and the potential rise of rival groups, such as the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which could exacerbate violence in the region.