Arrest of drug boss Zambada: A turning point in the drug war?
Arrest of drug boss Zambada: A turning point in the drug war?
The latest arrests by Ismael «El Mayo» Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López in the USA could have far -reaching consequences for drug crime in Mexico and the USA. While these events are initially celebrated as a triumph for the judiciary, the question arises whether they will actually destabilize the power structures in the Sinaloa cartel or lead to a new wave of violence.
background of the arrests
Ismael «El Mayo» Zambada, an important member of the Sinaloa cartel, was arrested in El Paso, Texas. Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the imprisoned drug boss Joaquín «El Chapo» Guzmán, was also among those arrested. The US authorities reported that Zambada and Guzmán López were lured into a trap when they thought they would inspect secret landing sites in Mexico. Instead, the plane went across the border to the USA.
reactions to the arrests
The arrests have already raised the alarm. Experts warn that these operations instead of reducing drug crime could possibly trigger wrangles to make power within the cartel. The organization has decentralized over the years, which means that it is no longer so susceptible to the loss of individual leaders.
The analyst Falko Ernst from the International Crisis Group expressed concerns that the arrests will not have the hoped-for impact on drug trafficking, since the structure of the Sinaloa cartel is complex and resilient. Ultimately, the machinations of the criminal organizations could continue, while acts of violence in the affected regions are increasing.
The influence on the community
In Mexico, the arrest of Zambada and Guzmán López could have far -reaching consequences for the civilian population. Especially in areas that are strongly affected by drug mixers and criminal organizations, violence could increase. In a country that has already been struggling with high murse - over 30,000 murders were reported last year - there are often bloody arguments between rival gangs.
the drug fentanyl and its devastating consequences
The role of Zambada and Guzmán López in the production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that contributes significantly to the drug problem in the USA, makes these arrests all the more important. Fentanyl is about 50 times more potent than heroin and is the main cause of the increasing number of overdoses in the USA, especially among the age group of 18 to 49 year olds.
US Justice Minister Merrick Garland emphasized that the arrests are an important step towards responsibility in drug struggle. "El Mayo and Guzmán López led the criminal machinations of the Sinaloa cartel," said Garland. Your arrests are part of an ongoing strategy to combat drug crime.
The status and the future of the drug cartels
Although the cancellation of such leaders seems promising, it remains to be seen how sustainable these changes will be in the drug landscape. The rivalry between the drug cartels in Sinaloa and Jalisco could intensify, since other groups are trying to change the balance of power in their favor. The fear of more violence or even an "earthquake" in the drug organization is omnipresent and could increase in both Mexico and the USA.
The coming time will be crucial to observe whether the arrests can cause substantial change in the fight against the drug cartels or whether they are just a further step in an endless conflict.
- Nag