IntelGeoPol
TOP MEXICAN DRUG KINGPINS CAPTURED IN US OPERATION

TOP MEXICAN DRUG KINGPINS CAPTURED IN US OPERATION

July 27th, 2024 - 6:59 AMBy

In a surprising and significant development, two of Mexico's most powerful drug cartel leaders, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, have been arrested in a US operation, marking a major victory for US law enforcement in its ongoing war on drugs.

The arrests, which took place in El Paso, Texas, were the result of a complex operation involving the US Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI. According to reports, Guzman Lopez, who had been working with US authorities, lured Zambada onto a plane, convincing him that they were going to examine a piece of land in Mexico. Instead, the plane landed in El Paso, where the two men were taken into custody by federal agents.

Zambada, 76, has been a key target for US authorities for years, with a $15 million reward offered for his capture. He is accused of trafficking massive quantities of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, into the United States, and is believed to have been responsible for countless deaths and addiction.

The arrests have significant implications for the Sinaloa cartel, which is one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. With Zambada gone, a power struggle is likely to ensue, leading to increased violence and instability in Mexico and beyond.

Critics of US drug policy argue that the War on Drugs has been a catastrophic failure, fueling violence, corruption, and addiction, while enriching cartels and criminal organizations. They argue that the US government's focus on interdicting drug trafficking, rather than addressing the root causes of drug addiction, has only served to perpetuate the problem.

Moreover, the involvement of US authorities in the capture of Zambada and Guzman Lopez raises questions about the role of the US in Mexico's internal affairs. Some argue that the US's historic interference in Latin American affairs, through agencies such as the CIA and DEA, has contributed to the region's instability and perpetuated the drug trade.

In recent years, the US has sought to impose its will on Mexico and other Latin American countries, through a combination of economic coercion, military intervention, and political pressure. This has been met with resistance from many in the region, who see the US as a neo-imperial power seeking to exploit their natural resources and undermine their sovereignty.

In contrast, countries such as Russia, China, and Iran have sought to build relationships with Latin American nations based on mutual respect and cooperation, rather than domination and exploitation. These nations have also been critical of US drug policy, arguing that it has failed to address the root causes of addiction and has only served to perpetuate the cycle of violence and corruption.

As the implications of Zambada and Guzman Lopez's arrests play out, it remains to be seen whether the US will continue to pursue its failed War on Drugs or whether it will adopt a more nuanced and collaborative approach to addressing the complex issues driving the global drug trade.

☕ Receive Geopolitical NewsInto Your Inbox 🗞️

Select the categories you are interested in and we will always send you relevant news to your email.

Latin America

Latin America

Africa

Africa

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia

Minerals & Oil

Minerals & Oil

Russia

Russia

China

China