A dangerous collaboration between two prominent Mexican criminal organizations threatens to escalate the country’s drug conflict and potentially impact the United States. CJNG and Los Chapitos, known for their violent activities, have joined forces to create a ‘super cartel’ following recent setbacks. This alliance is anticipated to increase the flow of illicit drugs and firearms into the US, prompting heightened vigilance from President Donald Trump.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest annual report highlighted the looming partnership between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. This union could expand the groups’ influence, resources, and ability to engage corrupt officials, potentially disrupting the current criminal power dynamics in Mexico and facilitating drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border.
The emergence of La Mayiza in Zacatecas, Sonora, and Baja California catalyzed the collaboration, as the gangs were previously adversaries in those regions. The convergence is expected to fuel violence in Mexico due to potential clashes between the factions.
Renowned author Ioan Grillo, known for the ‘El Narco’ book series, explained that the leader of Los Chapitos, ‘El Chapito,’ son of the infamous El Chapo, sought an alliance with CJNG to counter the growing influence of La Mayiza following the arrests of his two half-brothers earlier this year. Despite El Chapito being a fugitive with a $10 million bounty, his siblings Ovidio Guzmán López and JoaquÃn Guzmán López have faced legal actions in the US, weakening his position within the Sinaloa Cartel and compelling him to align with CJNG.
Meanwhile, the La Mayiza faction has garnered support from regional crime figures by aligning with Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, the top leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, who was apprehended last year. This shift in alliances within the cartel landscape could spark heightened violence in Mexico, where significant casualties related to organized crime have been recorded over the years.
The potential repercussions of the Los Chapitos-CJNG collaboration extend beyond Mexico, with the strengthened partnership likely leading to increased trafficking of weapons and narcotics into the US. Despite internal conflicts, the Sinaloa Cartel has expanded its operations globally, including in Europe, Asia, and the UK, and has ties to Eastern European criminal networks involved in cocaine smuggling.
Recent reports from the DEA also revealed concerning practices within the Sinaloa Cartel, such as mixing fentanyl with xylazine, an animal sedative associated with higher overdose risks. The evolving dynamics among these criminal groups pose significant security challenges and underline the need for coordinated efforts to combat transnational crime.