Los Chapitos’ Cornered: Captures and U.S. Collaboration Weaken Sinaloa Cartel Faction

The decline in weapons, the capture of his lieutenants and key hitmen, and pressure from the United States justice system on the family have led to the weakening of the Los Chapitos faction.

So far, the Sinaloa Cartel faction’s most visible leader is Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, according to security and military commanders.

Federal Operations Confront the Sinaloa Cartel

In addition to this weakening of the dynasty of former drug lord Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, there is also the federal deployment in Sinaloa, with constant reinforcements from the Army Special Forces, undercover operations from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), and naval intelligence from the Navy. This has led to the weakening of the structures of both factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which have been at odds since September 2024.

Los Mayitos—led by Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as El Mayito Flaco—somehow took advantage of Los Chapitos’ adversities by taking positions in southern and northern Sinaloa, leading authorities to double air and ground operations against this faction, which has also been weakened.

“Los Chapitos are waging several confrontations against their enemies, Los Mayos, against the authorities, and now also internal struggles. There is a constant weakening of this group, and this is what is being observed on the ground,” one of the sources consulted told MILENIO.

Capture of key figures: Who have been the most important?

But an important point in the weakening of Los Chapitos is the capture of its key operators since September 2024 by federal authorities, including hitmen, logistics operators, tactical aggressors, and high-profile bodyguards.

Some of the leaders captured or killed are Mauro Alberto ‘N’, head of a criminal cell belonging to the “Los Menores” faction; Kevin Alonso ‘N’, alias 200, Archivaldo Guzmán’s security chief; and José Ángel ‘N’, alias Güerito Cannobio, Archivaldo Guzmán’s chief of operations and closest confidant.

Also notable are Jorge Humberto ‘N’, alias La Perris or 27, a plaza boss in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and a trusted confidant of El Chapo’s son; Mario Alexander ‘N’, alias El Piyi, head of Iván Archivaldo’s bodyguards; Omar ‘N’, alias El Pelón or El 08, a key operator in Sonora coordinating the offensive against La Mayiza; Mauro Alejandro ‘N’, alias Jando, a trusted pilot of El Chapo’s sons, among others.

“These arrests represent a sustained effort to dismantle the chains of command and logistics of this Sinaloa Cartel cell,” added another source questioned on the matter.

Disarmament leaves ‘Los Chapitos’ out of the fight

Regarding the arms issue, in various clashes, Los Chapitos have been pushed back by Los Mayitos and federal forces.

“It has been noticed that they are leaving the trucks abandoned and their occupants fleeing. The (Los Chapitos) vehicles have been found severely damaged by bullet wounds, with flat tires, shattered windows, and engines disabled by the impacts,” a security officer explained.

In a video posted online at the end of June, a cell affiliated with Los Mayitos is seen chasing a Los Chapitos armored vehicle.

In the pursuit, La Mayiza uses a .50-caliber rifle to destroy the Los Chapitos men’s truck, which is now unable to defend itself against enemy artillery.

In that incident, reported in the Tierra Blanca neighborhood of Culiacán, two men were killed.

In May, Humberto Figueroa Benítez, known as La Perris, identified as the head of security for Los Chapitos, was killed after a capture operation that led to a confrontation with organized crime members carrying high-powered weapons.

However, the hitmen were unable to prolong the shootout due to a lack of ammunition and inadequate training for the uniformed officers, according to sources.

In other attacks repelled by the military in Sinaloa, the hitmen have fled the confrontations, due to a lack of military equipment and effective military tactical deployment.

‘La Mayiza’ Gains Strength

Los Mayitos also managed to consolidate a strategic alliance with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, known as El Chapo Isidro, leader of the Guasave Cartel or Los Mazatlecos, who is willing to dispute the territories controlled by El Chapo’s sons.

This alliance has significantly strengthened Los Mayitos’ offensive in the north and the Golden Triangle of Sinaloa.

El Chapo Isidro, sources say, brings experience, territory, and resources, and has established his influence in Guasave, Ahome, and suburban areas of Culiacán.

His group, along with La Mayiza, is behind a wave of direct violence, including the discovery of dozens of bodies and bloody attacks on urban bridges in Culiacán, clearly weakening La Chapiza.

Adding to Iván Archivaldo Guzmán’s weakened situation is the capture of his brothers, Ovidio Guzmán López and Joaquín Guzmán López, who, among others, face drug trafficking charges.

However, the collaboration process initiated by Ovidio Guzmán with the United States represents a significant blow to the cartel, as his cooperation could facilitate cases against other key members, including those within his family.

Source: Milenio