An operation against the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico culminated in 11 dead and the detention of a daughter of ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, amid the escalating violence that plagues the state of Sinaloa. The Federal Security Cabinet confirmed the events on Thursday, highlighting the involvement of special forces in an area controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel.
Authorities deployed a large deployment in Sinaloa, the epicenter of the Sinaloa Cartel, where they confronted alleged members of the criminal group. The toll: 11 alleged criminals dead and the capture of the daughter of Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, one of the cartel’s founders alongside Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán. This historic leader remains at large, but his family continues to be a key target for security forces.
Context of Violence in Sinaloa
The Sinaloa Cartel faces an internal war after the extradition of ‘El Chapo’ to the United States in 2017, which has fragmented the group into rival factions. In 2023, Sinaloa recorded more than 1,200 homicides related to drug trafficking, according to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System. Experts such as security analyst Alejandro Hope note that these operations aim to weaken the cartel’s operational structure, although violence persists.
Background of ‘El Mayo’ Zambada
- Ismael Zambada García, alias ‘El Mayo’, has led the Sinaloa Cartel since the 1980s.
- He evaded capture for decades, unlike ‘El Chapo’, thanks to his low profile.
- His detention in 2024 alongside his son Joaquín intensified internal struggles, according to Mexican intelligence reports.
Impact of the Operation against the Sinaloa Cartel
This blow to the Sinaloa Cartel comes amid a wave of violence that includes road blockades and armed attacks in Culiacán, the Sinaloa capital. Governor Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to strengthen the military presence, but critics question the effectiveness of these actions in the face of corruption and infiltration in local institutions. In recent months, similar operations have left dozens of casualties, without eradicating the Sinaloa Cartel’s control over key fentanyl routes to the U.S.
Opinions of Experts
«These operations generate more short‑term violence, but they are necessary to dismantle financial networks», says researcher Laura Ávila of the Colegio de México.
The operation against the Sinaloa Cartel underscores the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Mexico. While the daughter of ‘El Mayo’ Zambada faces charges of criminal association, authorities are assessing next steps to contain instability in the region. This event reinforces the position of the Sinaloa Cartel as the longest‑standing and most powerful in the hemisphere.
