Iván Archivaldo is Being Cornered with the Arrests of his Security Chiefs, Says Expert

In an interview with Infobae México, José Luis Montenegro explained that Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán’s son is unable to sleep well due to fear of being betrayed.

On February 19, Mexican authorities dealt a significant blow to the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Two of the top operatives and security personnel for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, leader of the criminal splinter group, were arrested in Sinaloa by the Armed Forces.

The first reported arrest was that of José Ángel Canobbio Inzunza, alias El Güerito, identified as one of the main and most important financial operators for Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons.

This individual is a trusted confidant of Iván Archivaldo and, according to federal investigations, is in charge of security operations, planning drug trafficking routes, and managing international distribution networks for fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamines. He is also involved in money laundering.

Canobbio Inzunza had his own criminal cell, and under his orders, attacks were carried out against military installations and forces in various parts of Culiacán during the two Culiacanazos (October 17, 2019, and January 5, 2023), following operations against Ovidio Guzmán López, alias El Ratón.

José Ángel has an arrest warrant for drug trafficking and distribution in the United States, so his extradition is expected soon.

Hours later, after an intense operation by the Armed Forces in Culiacán, Kevin Alonso Gil Acosta, alias El 200 or El Cabo, responsible for Iván Archivaldo’s security, was arrested.

According to federal sources, Gil Acosta coordinated the purchase of weapons and ammunition for Los Chapitos, while also organizing reaction forces to confront rival groups or the Armed Forces.

Gil Acosta implemented counterintelligence measures to ensure the protection of his areas of influence and the safety of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.

He also had permission to carry out murders and punish his enemies, as well as extortion when he deemed it necessary.

His accomplices were officers of the Culiacán municipal police, who informed him of federal operations and warned him about potential activities against him.

Given the importance of the individuals arrested, Infobae Mexico spoke with journalist José Luis Montenegro to learn what the arrests mean for Guzmán Salazar’s inner circle.

The author of the book “Los Chapitos: Criminal X-ray of the Heirs of the Sinaloa Cartel” indicated that he sees two scenarios. One would be to weaken Iván Archivaldo.

“To harass him in some way so that he gradually gives in to pressure from the Mexican or U.S. government,” he explained.

Another implication, Montenegro said, is that the Mexican government could maintain the narrative that it’s combating organized crime regardless of factions.

“However, the implications of these arrests also suggest that there are probably many betrayals within the Sinaloa Cartel due to fear of being apprehended.”

The journalist asserted that sources within the criminal organization tell him that Iván Archivaldo himself is turning in some of his closest associates for fear of being betrayed.

Montenegro didn’t rule out that this harassment of El Chapo Guzmán’s son is aimed at capturing him or at negotiating the conditions that will now prevail with Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House.

He explained that Iván Archivaldo, according to his sources, is under constant stress.

“He’s a man with a high level of anxiety. He can’t sleep. He’s constantly traveling, trying to hide, and simply with his shadow, Eric Bastidas, El 09.”

He indicated that Salazar Guzmán is in contact with two of his closest associates: his brother Jesús Alfredo and Abdiel Guzmán Araujo, son of Aureliano Guzmán Loera, El Chapo Guzmán’s brother.

Source: Infobae