Leaders of the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels Were Born in the United States

Ismael Zambada Imperial, alias “El Mayito Flaco,” and Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as “El Pelón,” are two of the United States’ top-priority targets. The U.S. seeks to bring them to justice within its borders. Beyond their criminal influence, the two share a common detail: they were both born in Orange County, California. Their U.S. citizenship has now become a crucial factor in the potential legal proceedings they could face in the United States. 

My colleague Ángel Hernández traveled to the birthplace of both kingpins. Here are the details. Ismael Zambada Imperial and Juan Carlos Valencia González were born in Orange County, California—two years apart. Decades later, they became the leaders of two of Mexico’s largest and most powerful criminal organizations: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. 

It all began on March 7, 1982, here in Anaheim, California—in Orange County—at what was then the Martin Luther Hospital. This is where Ismael Zambada Imperial—alias “El Mayito Flaco,” leader of the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and son of one of the organization’s founders, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García—was born. The hospital no longer exists; however, his U.S. citizenship was confirmed via his birth certificate, which has been published by international media outlets. 

Two years later, on September 12, 1984, Juan Carlos Valencia González—now known as “El Pelón”—was born in Santa Ana, about 22 kilometers away, at what was then the Mercy General Hospital. He is the undisputed leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.” Both men are now on the U.S. government’s list of most-wanted criminals—tracked by agencies such as the DEA and the FBI—for crimes related to organized crime and drug trafficking. 

The fact that both individuals hold U.S. citizenship offers certain advantages to Washington—such as the ability to expedite their transfer to U.S. territory through deportation or expulsion, rather than waiting for an extradition process that could take years. It would also allow the prosecution to bring expanded charges, potentially including the death penalty—though Mexico might object, given that both kingpins are Mexican by birth. Both “El Mayito Flaco” and “El Pelón” already face formal federal charges in the United States related to drug trafficking. Furthermore, they have been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for their leadership roles within organized crime.

Source: Milenio