“La Yaqui del Poniente,” the Leader of the Hit Squad for “Los Zetas”

The Stories That Stopped Being Told. Raúl Flores Martínez. Raúl, how are you? Good morning. How are things, my dear Paco? A very good morning to you. 

Over the years, women have carved out their own narratives within the world of organized crime. The following story concerns a woman who could be considered the first female leader of a criminal organization of contract killers in the entire country. 

And these are the stories that stopped being told. The war against organized crime, launched in 2006, marked the beginning of the rise of certain women to the highest echelons of the drug cartels. 

One of the most prominent figures to emerge was Jacqueline López—known as “La Yaqui del Poniente”—the head of contract killers for the criminal organization known as “Los Zetas.” Under her leadership, the first armed wing of a cartel was established—a unit known as “Las Panteras.” 

This group consisted entirely of women who carried out tasks related to surveillance, logistics, and serving as liaisons within criminal structures operating primarily in the states of Tamaulipas and Chihuahua. 

“La Yaqui del Poniente” was responsible for duties involving the surveillance of safe houses, the oversight of operations, and alleged money-laundering schemes fueled by drug trafficking. 

She is implicated in acts of torture, homicide, and other violent assaults against members of rival groups—acts often followed by acts of necrophilia involving the dismembered corpses, and even bathing in the victims’ blood. 

According to police reports, she was one of the participants in the massacre of 72 migrants in San Fernando, Tamaulipas. Jacqueline López was arrested in 2012 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, by federal agents; she was 23 years old at the time. 

Fourteen years have passed since her arrest, and to this day, no one knows where she is being held in custody, as her detention is classified as a matter of national security. It is worth highlighting one very important detail: according to the investigations conducted at the time by the Federal Police, this young woman began her criminal career at the age of 15 by executing individuals belonging to rival factions. 

Paco—it’s staggering, isn’t it? And the fact that, on top of everything else, absolutely no one knows the whereabouts of where this woman is currently being held. You’re speaking of something that is almost a legend now, aren’t you? 

Exactly. And as for the national security angle—that is how it is officially cited—it ensures that no one knows where that young woman is; indeed, to this day, no one knows. This is because she has quite a few lives on her conscience.

Source: Imagen Noticias