Mexico’s kingpin strategy targets drug cartels amid significant challenges

In July 2024, the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel cofounder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in Texas led to an alarming increase in disappearances and violence in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Activist Maria Isabel Cruz reported that since Zambada’s arrest, over 5,800 people have vanished, coinciding with a dramatic rise in homicides from 44 in August to 142 in September. Critics argue that targeting cartel leaders without addressing the underlying issues only fuels further violence and instability.

Want More Context? 🔎