In 2024, Mexico’s cartel landscape experienced seismic shifts as high-profile arrests and escalating internal conflicts dominated the year. Gunmen killed El Cheyo Anthrax in Culiacán, Sinaloa, while Joaquín Guzmán López surrendered and helped orchestrate the kidnapping of Mayo Zambada to seek leniency. His actions also suggested potential advantages for his brother, Ovidio Guzmán López, El Ratón, extradited to the U.S. in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Sinaloa Civil War intensified, with Los Chapitos clashing violently against the Zambada faction led by Mayito Flaco. The year saw entire regions destabilized as the violence escalated into one of the bloodiest internal conflicts in cartel history.
Political transitions added to the turmoil. Mexico’s new president and a U.S. president-elect promised a renewed crackdown on organized crime, focusing on fentanyl trafficking. Yet systemic corruption and the cartels’ adaptability cast doubt on the impact of these efforts.
The year also saw significant blows to major players. Rubén Oseguera González, alias “El Menchito,” was convicted in Washington, D.C., delivering a critical setback to the CJNG. Meanwhile, Dámaso López Serrano, known as “El Mini Lic,” resurfaced with a re-arrest on fentanyl charges, underscoring the relentless grip of synthetic opioids on the trade.
These developments exposed not only the fragility of cartel alliances but also their ruthless evolution in response to external pressures. For Mexico’s cartels, 2024 was a year of upheaval, where survival meant redefining power in an increasingly volatile landscape.
2024’s Defining Cartel Moments: Top 10 Events That Shaped Mexico’s Drug War
For this year-end review, I’ve ranked the top 10 cartel-related events of 2024 in order of significance. This isn’t just a timeline; it’s a breakdown of the moments that fractured alliances, escalated violence, and exposed how far the cartels will go to hold onto power. Each event was chosen for its ripple effect—whether it destabilized leadership, shifted territory, or forced cartels into desperate alliances. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a larger story about how organized crime in Mexico evolved under pressure, leaving a bloody trail of consequences that will shape 2025 and beyond.
10. The New U.S. President-Elect
Summary:
The 2024 U.S. presidential election brought in a new leader whose campaign prioritized tackling the fentanyl epidemic. With overdose deaths surging, the president-elect promised tougher measures against trafficking and stronger cross-border cooperation with Mexico to target production labs and smuggling routes.
While the promises were bold, the specifics remain unclear. Effective policy implementation will require balancing law enforcement with diplomacy and addressing domestic public health challenges.
Why It Matters:
The U.S. is the primary market for Mexican cartels, so any shift in American drug policy can disrupt cartel operations. However, enforcement without systemic reform risks pushing production further underground or escalating violence in Mexico.
Why It’s Ranked #10:
This event is ranked last because its potential impact has not yet materialized. The administration’s plans are still forming, leaving its influence on the cartel landscape largely speculative.
9. The New Mexican President
Summary:
In July 2024, Mexico’s new president assumed office, pledging to tackle corruption, dismantle cartels, and restore security. Early rhetoric suggested a shift from “hugs, not bullets” policies, but systemic issues—including entrenched corruption, limited resources, and weak institutions—continued to paralyze law enforcement efforts.
Critics argue that despite strong promises, the president has struggled to deliver meaningful results. Cartels like CJNG and Los Chapitos remain entrenched, while violence continues unabated in key regions like Tamaulipas and Sinaloa.
Why It Matters:
Mexico’s leadership plays a critical role in shaping cartel dynamics. Without meaningful reform, the president’s failure to act decisively could embolden cartels and perpetuate the cycle of violence and impunity.
Why It’s Ranked #9:
Despite its potential for long-term impact, the new administration’s policies have yet to produce measurable results, keeping it lower on the list.
8. The Killing of El Cheyo Anthrax (Jesús Alfredo Imperial Castro)
Summary:
On January 8, 2024, El Cheyo Anthrax, a Zambada faction lieutenant, was executed in Culiacán, Sinaloa. A trusted operative and nephew of El Mayo Zambada, El Cheyo was a key figure in the cartel’s enforcement wing. However, his death wasn’t the work of a rival—it was an internal punishment ordered by El Mayo himself.
El Cheyo was accused of stealing from Mayo and betraying the Zambada faction. His killing sent a chilling message about loyalty and discipline within the cartel, even among its most trusted operatives.
Why It Matters:
El Cheyo’s death exposed the internal pressures within the Zambada faction. It fueled distrust and set the stage for further fractures that escalated into the Sinaloa Civil War.
Why It’s Ranked #8:
While significant, El Cheyo’s killing primarily served as a prelude to larger conflicts, keeping it lower in the rankings.
7. The Deportation of El Nini (Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas)
Summary:
On November 22, 2023, El Nini, the head of security for Los Chapitos, was arrested in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Known for his brutal tactics and role in overseeing Los Chapitos’ fentanyl trafficking routes, his deportation to the U.S. in May 2024 marked a significant disruption to their enforcement capabilities.
El Nini’s absence left Los Chapitos vulnerable during the height of their conflict with the Zambada faction, forcing them to adapt their strategies in the Sinaloa Civil War.
Why It Matters:
As a key enforcer and strategist, El Nini’s removal weakened Los Chapitos’ ability to defend their operations, particularly against rival factions like the Zambada group.
Why It’s Ranked #7:
While impactful, El Nini’s arrest primarily affected Los Chapitos’ security structure, with less immediate influence on the broader cartel landscape.
6. The Arrest of Joaquín Guzmán López
Summary:
On July 25, 2024, Joaquín Guzmán López, also known as “El Moreno” or “El Güero,” was arrested in El Paso, Texas. As a key leader of Los Chapitos, Guzmán López managed critical money laundering and fentanyl trafficking operations that sustained the faction’s power. His capture marks a significant blow to Los Chapitos, disrupting their financial structure and weakening their ability to fund their war against the Zambada faction.
The lack of his presence hits the heart of Los Chapitos’ logistical network, weakening their ability to finance their ongoing war with the Zambada faction.
Why It Matters:
Joaquín’s capture disrupted the faction’s financial and operational stability, further complicating their efforts in the Sinaloa Civil War.
Why It’s Ranked #6:
This event is ranked above El Nini’s arrest due to its broader impact on Los Chapitos’ financial and trafficking operations.
5. The Re-Arrest of El Mini Lic (Dámaso López Serrano)
Summary:
In December 2024, Dámaso López Serrano, known as El Mini Lic, while on parole was re-arrested in Virginia on fentanyl trafficking charges. Once a trusted ally of the Sinaloa Cartel, El Mini Lic betrayed Chapitos by cooperating with U.S. authorities. Despite this, he re-entered cartel politics in 2024, aligning with Mayito Flaco’s faction in the Sinaloa Civil War.
His re-arrest exposed his continued involvement in the global fentanyl trade and highlighted law enforcement’s struggles to monitor former informants.
Why It Matters:
El Mini Lic’s re-arrest in 2024 underscores the ongoing challenges for law enforcement in managing high-profile defectors who remain tied to cartel activities. His return to cartel politics, aligning with Mayito Flaco’s faction in the Sinaloa Civil War, further destabilized Los Chapitos and exposed fractures within the Sinaloa Cartel. His involvement in the fentanyl trade highlights the persistent influence of former cartel insiders, complicating U.S. and Mexican enforcement efforts.
Why It’s Ranked #5:
This event ranks fifth because of its profound impact on the Sinaloa Civil War and the broader dynamics of cartel politics. El Mini Lic’s actions reshaped the power structure within the cartel, escalating the conflict and highlighting the difficulties of dismantling organized crime when influential figures continue to operate despite their cooperation with authorities. The fallout from his re-arrest cemented its status as one of the year’s most consequential developments.
4. The Sentencing of El Menchito (Rubén Oseguera González)
Summary:
In September 2024, Rubén Oseguera González, alias El Menchito, was sentenced in Washington, D.C., to a minimum of 40 years for drug trafficking. As the son and heir of CJNG leader El Mencho, his sentencing dealt a major blow to the organization’s leadership structure.
While CJNG remains powerful, the loss of its heir apparent raised questions about its long-term stability.
Why It Matters:
El Menchito’s sentencing highlighted the U.S.’s ability to prosecute high-ranking cartel figures and added pressure to CJNG’s leadership.
Why It’s Ranked #4:
This event significantly impacted CJNG, one of the largest and most violent cartels in Mexico, making it a top-tier event.
3. The Alliance Between Los Chapitos and CJNG
Summary:
Midway through 2024, Los Chapitos and CJNG—former fierce rivals—unexpectedly formed a temporary alliance to counter mutual threats, particularly the Zambada faction. This surprising collaboration could enable both groups to strengthen their grip on strategic territories, including Baja California, Zacatecas, Durango, and Sonora.
While the alliance bolstered their immediate prospects, it underscored the shifting strategies of both factions as they adapted to mounting law enforcement pressure and escalating internal conflicts.
Why It Matters:
The alliance shifted cartel geopolitics, creating a powerful bloc that posed new challenges for rivals and law enforcement alike.
Why It’s Ranked #3:
This unprecedented collaboration reshaped the cartel landscape, making it one of the most significant strategic moves of 2024.
2. The Sinaloa Civil War
Summary:
By 2024, the fragile unity of the Sinaloa Cartel had completely collapsed as Los Chapitos, the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, faced off against the Zambada faction, led by Mayito Flaco, the son of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The conflict erupted after the kidnapping of El Mayo, which prompted Mayito Flaco to take control and launch a brutal offensive against Los Chapitos, whom he held responsible for the abduction. The resulting violence spiraled into a fierce battle for dominance, control of trafficking routes, and key fentanyl operations.
The war wasn’t contained within Sinaloa. Violence spilled into Baja California, Sonora, and Chihuahua, with both factions targeting not just rival operatives but their families. Entire towns were turned into battlefields, with massacres and kidnappings becoming a daily reality. The chaos also opened opportunities for rival cartels like CJNG to expand their reach into territories long dominated by Sinaloa.
Why It Matters:
This conflict reshaped the power dynamics of the Sinaloa Cartel, fracturing one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. The violence disrupted fentanyl production and trafficking routes, destabilizing operations and creating openings for rivals to move in. For law enforcement, the civil war offered both opportunities and challenges—it weakened cartel cohesion but also complicated efforts to track and dismantle operations.
Why It’s Ranked #2:
The Sinaloa Civil War is ranked second because it was the defining conflict of 2024. Its scale of violence, impact on fentanyl operations, and long-term consequences for the cartel’s dominance make it one of the year’s most consequential events. However, it’s overshadowed by the event that set it all in motion: the arrest of El Mayo Zambada.
1. The Kidnapping and Arrest of El Mayo Zambada García
Summary:
On July 14, 2024, the unthinkable occurred: Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the elusive leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, was kidnapped and handed over to U.S. authorities as a calculated “gift” from Los Chapitos. His capture was no accident—it was meticulously planned by Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, with the help of their brother Joaquín Guzmán López and the FBI. For decades, El Mayo had evaded law enforcement by relying on unwavering loyalty, a low-profile strategy, and an unmatched mastery of cartel politics. This move not only eliminated a key rival but also demonstrated Los Chapitos’ willingness to collaborate with authorities to consolidate their power.
El Mayo was more than just a leader; he was the glue that held the Sinaloa Cartel together. As one of the last great “old-school” narcos, his leadership embodied shrewdness and a calculated approach to maintaining stability within the cartel. Over an unprecedented 50-year career, he managed to avoid ever stepping into a prison cell—until now. His removal not only plunged the Zambada faction into chaos but also created ripples beyond the cartel’s ranks. Rival groups, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), capitalized on the upheaval, pushing into territories destabilized by the infighting. At the same time, rumors of what El Mayo might reveal to authorities sent operatives scrambling to secure their operations, intensifying the climate of paranoia and uncertainty.
Why It Matters:
El Mayo’s arrest marked the end of an era for the Sinaloa Cartel and Mexican organized crime as a whole. His leadership provided a rare form of stability in an otherwise volatile world, balancing the ambitions of Los Chapitos with the discipline of the Zambada faction. His capture destabilized the cartel’s operations, disrupted trafficking routes, and set the stage for unprecedented levels of violence.
For law enforcement, this was a monumental victory, but it also came with risks. El Mayo’s knowledge of the cartel’s inner workings could provide critical intelligence—but at the cost of more significant cartel fragmentation and escalation of violence.
Why It’s Ranked #1:
El Mayo’s arrest tops the list because of its unparalleled impact. No single event in 2024 had a more profound influence on the cartel landscape. It was the catalyst for the Sinaloa Civil War, the realignment of rival factions, and the most significant disruption of trafficking operations in recent history. El Mayo’s removal didn’t just destabilize the Sinaloa Cartel—it reshaped the entire ecosystem of organized crime in Mexico.
Conclusion
2024 wasn’t just a year of change—it was a year that redefined the cartel landscape. From the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the fractures it caused within the Sinaloa Cartel to bold alliances like Los Chapitos joining forces with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” the year was marked by betrayals, calculated risks, and relentless violence. Leaders fell, allegiances shifted, and Mexico’s streets bore the brunt.
And if 2024 was the spark, 2025 will be the fire. The cracks in the cartel world are deepening, the alliances are more fragile, and the battles for control are about to escalate. What happens next won’t just shape the cartels—it will shape the future of Mexico itself.
One thing is certain: the Sinaloa Cartel is no more.
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4 Comments
I need to kidnap you and torture you with stupid questions.
For years I thought the word “plaza” referred to some sort of public square. But recently I read it really means territory and there are people called plaza bosses, which I guess means some sort of enforcer.
In the article above, you mention territory a lot. I just don’t get this. To me what the narcos are doing is making and moving a product or several products. Why do they need territory?
Is there a name for the strategy these cartels use? It seems almost medieval. Why do they think they have the right to do this? Why do they need to wreck everything when they’re just selling and transporting an illegal product?
There’s no such thing as a stupid question. A “plaza” refers to a specific territory, which can be a city, region, or a key drug trafficking corridor. For example, El 90 is the plaza boss of Puerto Vallarta. These territories are crucial for cartel operations, often encompassing drug and human smuggling routes. Being a plaza boss is essentially a “license to print money,” as they earn a cut from every shipment of drugs or people smuggled through their area, among other illegal activities like extortion, kidnapping, and money laundering. This isn’t a strategy—it’s a generational legacy, with many of today’s narcos inheriting their knowledge of the trade from family, blending tradition with ruthless modern tactics.
Have you ever read Octavio Paz?
I just read Labyrinth of Solitude…about the Mexican mindset.
I guess what I’m coming to understand is that Mexicans are willing to live alongside crime at some level…part of the culture?
as in narco-corridos? a sense of pride?
That is… until it gets really bad like it is in Sinaloa currently.
They coexist for different reasons, but ultimately, it comes down to plata o plomo—silver or lead. The relentless escalation of cartel violence, both in scale and frequency, is enough to silence even the bravest.