The formation of a powerful alliance between two notorious Mexican gangs, CJNG and Los Chapitos, has raised concerns about an escalation in the country’s drug conflict, with potential implications for the United States. This collaboration, termed a ‘super cartel,’ aims to increase their influence and operations following recent setbacks, potentially leading to a surge in drug and weapon trafficking into the US, prompting heightened vigilance from President Donald Trump.
According to a recent report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the CJNG and the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel are expected to join forces, expanding their reach and power, which could result in a significant shift in criminal dynamics in Mexico and facilitate increased drug and arms trade across the US-Mexico border.
The incursion of La Mayiza into Zacatecas, Sonora, and Baja California has spurred this alliance, as these gangs were previously rivals in those regions. Experts predict a rise in violence due to potential conflicts arising from this collaboration.
Noted author Ioan Grillo, known for the ‘El Narco’ book series, suggests that ‘El Chapito,’ son of the infamous El Chapo, decided to align with CJNG after facing challenges from the La Mayiza faction following the arrests of his half-brothers earlier this year. Despite being a fugitive with a $10 million bounty on his head, El Chapito’s relatives have been apprehended or extradited to the US, weakening his position within the Sinaloa Cartel and prompting the alliance.
The rise of the La Mayiza faction, which has garnered support from regional crime leaders pledging allegiance to ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, the top Sinaloa Cartel figure recently arrested, further complicates the criminal landscape in Mexico.
With the emergence of the Los Chapitos-CJNG alliance, a power shift is anticipated to fuel violent confrontations in Mexico, a country that has witnessed a significant death toll linked to organized crime over the years. This collaboration could also lead to increased drug and weapon trafficking into the US, impacting border security.
Despite internal conflicts, the Sinaloa Cartel has expanded its operations globally into Europe, Asia, and the UK, forging connections with Eastern European criminal networks involved in cocaine smuggling. Recent findings by the DEA indicate that the Sinaloa Cartel has been mixing fentanyl with xylazine, a sedative known to heighten overdose risks.
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