A dangerous collaboration between Mexico’s top criminal organizations, CJNG and Los Chapitos, is posing a heightened threat to the country’s ongoing drug conflict, with potential repercussions for the United States. Referred to as a ‘super cartel,’ their partnership, following recent setbacks, could lead to an increase in drug and weapon trafficking into the US, prompting concerns from President Donald Trump.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest annual report highlights the looming alliance between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Los Chapitos faction of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. This collaboration has the potential to expand their influence, resources, and access to corrupt officials, potentially disrupting the criminal power dynamics in Mexico and escalating drug and arms trafficking across the US-Mexico border.
The territorial expansion of La Mayiza into Zacatecas, Sonora, and Baja California has catalyzed this union, as the gangs were previously rivals in these regions. The increased violence in Mexico could result from anticipated clashes between the factions.
Renowned author Ioan Grillo, known for the ‘El Narco’ book series, suggests that the head of Los Chapitos, ‘El Chapito’ – son of the notorious El Chapo, pursued an alliance with CJNG due to losing ground against the La Mayiza faction after the apprehension of his half-brothers earlier this year. While El Chapito remains a fugitive with a substantial bounty on his head, his relatives are facing legal proceedings in the US, potentially weakening his position within the Sinaloa Cartel.
Meanwhile, the La Mayiza faction has been gaining support among local crime figures by aligning with Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who was arrested last year. With the emergence of the Los Chapitos-CJNG coalition, a power shift is expected, likely leading to increased violence in Mexico, a country already grappling with a high death toll linked to organized crime over recent years.
The repercussions of this alliance could extend beyond Mexico, with a potential rise in drug and weapon smuggling into the US due to the strengthened capabilities of the combined factions. Despite internal conflicts, the Sinaloa Cartel has expanded into Europe, Asia, and the UK, maintaining connections with Eastern European criminal groups involved in cocaine trafficking to the UK.
Furthermore, the recent DEA report reveals that the Sinaloa Cartel has been adulterating fentanyl with xylazine, an animal sedative associated with a higher risk of overdose.