MEXICO CITY — In a shocking turn of events, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the most elusive leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, was recently ambushed and captured. According to the details shared in a court hearing, armed men broke in through a window, abducted him, and transported him by plane to the United States.
Joaquín Guzmán López, the 39-year-old son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Chicago. He admitted to overseeing the transport of huge quantities of drugs into the U.S. This admission has raised questions about how Zambada, who had evaded capture for years, ended up in U.S. custody.
After Zambada’s arrest in July 2024, a lawyer revealed a letter from him stating he had been lured to a meeting with Guzmán López, only to be captured. U.S. prosecutor Andrew Erskine addressed this in court, emphasizing that Guzmán López’s alleged kidnapping attempt wouldn’t earn him cooperation credit for his plea deal.
The operation angered Mexico’s then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who suggested U.S. intervention was involved. Analysts believe it’s hard to imagine such an operation happening without some level of U.S. knowledge.
In the courtroom, Erskine detailed how Guzmán López had the glass removed from a window and had men seize Zambada as he entered. The captured leader was sedated on the flight to New Mexico.
Zambada’s letter mentioned armed men in military uniforms at the meeting. Despite being wary of Guzmán López and the “Chapitos,” Zambada calculated that it was safe to follow him.
Zambada is now in U.S. custody, while the capture has sparked violent clashes in Sinaloa as rival factions vie for control within the cartel. Meanwhile, the Mexican government is examining whether to charge Guzmán López with treason for his role in the abduction.
These events echo patterns from the past, reminding us of how power struggles within cartels can lead to chaos and violence. Historical data shows that drug-related violence surges during leadership changes in cartels, impacting communities severely.
Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to address not just drug trafficking but the societal issues that foster such violence. The ongoing situation underscores the complexity of drug wars and the far-reaching implications for both Mexico and the United States.
With Guzmán López potentially avoiding life in prison due to the plea deal, the Sinaloa cartel’s future remains uncertain, continuing a legacy of turmoil. For ongoing updates on this developing story, refer to sources like NPR and The New York Times.
