Updated: Dec. 19th, 2011
Mexican drug cartels got their real start in the 1980′s. Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo was the original drug boss, known as “El Padrino” (the Godfather) He controlled the majority of drug trade into the USA during the 1980′s. He was a former federal police officer. In 1989 he was arrested, and while his power was being stripped by moving him into a maximum security prison, many drug lords stepped up at this time and began to form present day cartels.
The Tijuana Cartel was formed in 1989 by Gallardo’s sobrinos (nephews), the Arellano Félix brothers. The Sinaloa Cartel was formed by Gallardo’s former lieutenants, Héctor Luis Palma Salazar and Joaquín Guzmán Loera, El Chapo.
The Mexican cartels first took global drug power when the Colombian cartels began to topple in the 1990′s. The Medellín Cartel was dismantled by 1993. Instead of the Mexican cartels being middle men for bringing cocaine into the US, they took the driver seat, and oversaw much of the operations that bring cocaine in now.Cartels in Mexico have taken different roles as the years pass. Every group has its own rules and motives. The goals are usually the same, and that is to make profit. Cartels have morphed from simply drug trafficking organizations to diverse business groups.
2011
2010
PRIMARY MEXICAN CARTELS
Cartel de Sinaloa
- Major Mexican drug trafficking organization
- -Also known as the Sinaloa Cartel, Pacific Cartel, Guzman-Loera Organization, the Federation, and the Golden Triangle.
- This cartel was formed in 1989.
- El Chapo Guzman is the leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
- El Chapo has been featured in Forbes and other lists as one of the richest and most powerful figures in the world.
- The cartel now controls the complete border from Tijuana to western Juarez
- Feuds include fighting with the Tijuana Cartel, the Los Zetas, the Juarez Cartel, and the Beltra-Leyva Cartel.
- Claims are often made that the Mexican government favors the Sinaloa cartel over others. Recent claims have been made that the US Federal Agents have favored Sinaloa as well.
Los Zetas
- Created in 1999 by former special forces deserters who used their skills to work for cartels.
- A major Mexican and Guatemalan drug trafficking organization
- Split from their main employer the Gulf Cartel in early 2010
- They turned from an armed wing into a full fledged drug trafficking organization
- The currently control the Nuevo Laredo corridor into Southwest Texas.
- They have spread their territory stretching from the Texas border to Guatemala.
- They have seized control of much of the human smuggling industry into the US, from Central America all the way into Texas. They are believed to be responsible for the massacre of 72 Central and South Americans in northern Mexico.
- They are currently fighting with the Gulf Cartel mainly, as well as the Sinaloa and La Familia cartels.
- The group is a favorite target by the Mexican and US Government because of their ruthless behavior
Cartel del Gulf
- The Gulf Cartel
- Major Mexican drug trafficking organization
- One of the older Cartels, founded in the 1970′s.
- The cartel controls some of the Gulf coast of Mexico and the northeast border area of Mexico which sits against Texas.
- For years it was mostly peaceful in Northeastern Mexico while the Gulf Cartel held undisputed control of the area.
- Formerly oversaw and employed the Los Zetas. The Los Zetas are now their #1 rival.
- Feuds include fighting with the Los Zetas, the Juarez Cartel, Beltran-Leyva Cartel, and the Tijuana Cartel.
- Most fighting is currently within its disputed territory with the Los Zetas.
- Believed to be favored over the Los Zetas by the Mexican and US Government.
Cartel de Juarez
- Also known as the Juarez Cartel and the Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Organization
- A minor drug trafficking organization, due to its recent loss of territory and power
- Formed in the 1970′s
- The cartel controls the El Paso and formerly the New Mexico corridors
- Their feud with the Sinaloa Cartel has been the source of much of the bloodshed in the drug war.
- They have lost much of their territory to Sinaloa, and some claim that Sinaloa has defeated this cartel, although the fighting still exists.
- The cartel overseas and mostly controls the La Linea and Barrio Azteca street gangs
- The group could soon lose its territory to the Sinaloa Cartel if a change of tides in the war doesn’t happen soon
- The group is believed to be a favorite target by the Mexican and US Governments
The New Federation
- This is an alliance of the La Familia, Gulf Cartel, and Sinaloa formed in 2010.
- They are together fighting the Los Zetas and the Juarez cartel.
- Reports of this alliance vary
- The Gulf Cartel reportedly reached out to the Sinaloa cartel for help in fighting and eliminating the Zetas.
THE OTHER MEXICAN CARTELS
The Knights Templars (Los Caballeros Templarios)
- Mexican drug trafficking organization
- This is a split faction from La Familia Michoacana.
- They are becoming one of Mexico’s leaders in methamphetamine manufacturing.
- They do not allow members to use drugs
New Generation Jalisco Cartel
- Mata Zetas (Zeta Killers) is the famous armed wing of this DTO
- This group is responsible for the mass Zeta killings in Veracruz
- A fairly new group in the scene
- Based in the Mexican State of Jalisco
- Claims to protect the people from kidnapping, extortion, and violence aimed at innocent citizens
- Tied with the Sinaloa Cartel
Cartel Del Pacifico Sur (South Pacific Cartel)
- Mexican dug trafficking organization
- A group aligned with the Beltran-Leyva Cartel.
- Group that El Ponchis, the 14 year old hitman was a member of.
- Believed to be more of a Beltran-Leyva cell than an independent cartel
Cartel De Tijuana
- Also known as the Tijuana Cartel and Arrellano-Felix Organization.
- Now a minor Mexico drug trafficking organization
- Formed in 1989
- The cartel controls the Baja California area and California border with Mexico.
- Once a notorious cartel, they have recently been depleted of upper ranking members and have attempted to maintain a low profile.
- The Cartel has known to have heavy influence into San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
- Feuds include fighting with the Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and La Familia
- It’s territory has been lost for the most part to the Sinaloa Cartel
- They have a pact to allow some drug trafficking through the now controlled Sinaloa corridors in the Tijuana area
La Familia Michoacana
- Also known as the La Familia and The Michoachan Family.
- Now a minor and borderline extinct Mexican drug trafficking organization
- Formed in the 1980′s, but was dependent on alliances with the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas until 2006.
- Originally formed as a vigilante group to help bring justice to Michocan.
- They control some of the Southern Mexican ports that bring in drugs from South America.
- Their new found alliance with the Gulf Cartel allows them access to some of the Northeastern corridors.
- Has a large faith based structure, handing out Bibles and helping their community heavily
- Feuds include fighting with Los Zetas, Juarez Cartel, and Tijuana Cartel
- Failed ceasefires with the Mexican Government and split factions by the Knights Templars have weakened the groups power
Los Negros
- A military type group that was fighting against the Los Zetas for control over Nuevo Laredo corridor
- Was formerly overseen by the Beltran-Leyva cartel. Was more recently ran by La Barbie, the famous Texan who rose to cartel stardom. Now that he is incarcerated it is hard to tell what will happen to this group.
Cartel de los Beltran-Leyva
- Formed in 2008 as a split faction from the Sinaloa Cartel
- Feuds include conflicts with Sinaloa, Gulf, and La Familia cartels
- Major allies with the Los Zetas
- Major rivals of the Cartel de Sinaloa
- Believed to be inactive because of arrests and killings of high ranking members
Cartel Del Colima
- A major synthetic drug cartel.
- Known as the meth kingpins.
- Has kept a low profile by avoiding violence
Milenio Cartel
- Mexican drug traffickign organization
- Also known as Los Valencia
- Separated from the Juarez Cartel in 1999-Has maintained to stay out of the spotlight
- Once a rival of Los Zetas, currently joined forces with Zetas
- Grows natural drugs such as marijuana and opium
Oaxaca Cartel
- Mexican drug trafficking organization
- Had early beginnings in the marijuana trade in the 1970′s
- Has also kept a low profile by avoiding violence
CIDA-Acapulco’s Independent Cartel
- Mexican drug trafficking organization
- A new and mainly unknown cartel in the Acapulco area fighting for control of the local port.
- It is yet to be seen if this cartel will disappear as a minor gang, or emerge as a local leader
- They are responsible for killing hitmen that have been killing recklessly in Acapulco.
COLOMBIAN DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS (these groups supply Mexican cartels with cocaine) Valle de Colombia Cartel
- Colombian cocaine trafficking group
- One of the most active Cartels in Colombia
- Is responsible for bringing much of the cocaine from South America to Mexico
FARC
- Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
- Ties to communist Cuba, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, the ETA of Spain, and other Marxist movements
- Aligned with the remnants of the Tijuana Cartel and the Juarez Cartel for cocaine shipments
- Claims to only supply drugs to support their political movement
- Known for high profile kidnappings
Rastrojos
- Colombian cocaine trafficking group
- Partners with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Juarez Cartel for cocaine supplies
- Ariel routes from Eastern Colombia and Southwestern Venezuela for shipments
- Sea routes from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
- Former members of Norte de Valle who are partnered with Ejercito Revolucionario Popular Antiterrorista Colombiano. (Led by Pedro Oliveiro “Cuchillo” Guerrero and Daniel “El Loco” Barrera
Urabenos
- Colombian cocaine trafficking group
- Remaining members of army members of the AUC
- Positioned along the Panama border
- Aligned with the Gulf Cartel for cocaine trafficking
Los Paisas
- Colombian cocaine trafficking group
- 3rd generation Medellin based group
- Beltran-Leyva organization in Mexico is a major cocaine buyer from the group
CENTRAL AMERICAN DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS & GANGS (these groups transit drugs north, cash south, and weapons both ways. They also provide other services for Mexican and Colombian groups)
Mara Salvatrucha – MS -13
- Central American/ Los Angeles street gang
- They have been known to be employed in Southern Mexico, and in the United States to carry out hits, as well as move large amounts of drugs onto the streets by cartels
- They are involved in human smuggling into Mexico from Central America.
- They also share drug distribution and smuggling into Mexico and Central America
Barrio 18 ( M-18)
- Central American / Los Angeles street gang
- Began as a Mexican and Mexican American street gang in LA
- Now more prominent in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala
- Bitter rivals of MS-13
- Ties with the Los Zetas and Sinaloa Cartel are suspected
El Perrones
- El Salvador drug trafficking organization
- Transit drugs from Panama to Guatemala
- Most prominent Salvadorian trafficking group
Texis Cartel
- El Salvador based drug trafficking organization
- Leaders are prominent and respected businessmen
- Profit off of controlling drug transit routes
El Mendozas
- Guatemalan drug and contraband trafficking organization
- Believed to have brought the Los Zetas into Guatemala as hired guns
- Highly connected to Guatemalan government
- Many members are believed to have fled to Belize
El Lorenzanas
- Guatemalan drug and contraband trafficking organization
- Ties to the Sinaloa Cartel
- Many members believed to be in Belize
El Leones-Guatemalan drug trafficking organization
- Former cattle rustlers and car thieves
- The group was attacked by the Los Zetas in 2008
- Their territory is now believed to be run by the Zetas
MEXICAN & US STREET GANGS (These groups supply drugs from Mexico/Colombia to the streets, as well as fight in the streets for aligned cartels. MS-13 and M-18 belong to this group as well)
La Linea
- Mexican drug trafficking group
- The armed force employed by the Juarez Cartel
- Responsible for much of the blood shed and drug smuggling activity on a daily basis
- The leader was recently apprehended and has admitted to ordering over 1500 murders in the Juarez area
- Responsible for much of the violence in the Juarez area
- Recently threatened US government employees in Mexico
Mano Con Ojos
- Mexico City based gang
- A break-away group from the demised Beltran-Leyva Cartel
- The group has brought violence to the Mexico City metro that has not been seen
- The gang is fighting for rising control of drug sales in Mexico City
Barrio Azteca
- A street gang formed in El Paso, Texas. It now operates on both sides of the border.
- Mexican and Mexican-American gang
- In Mexico generally known as the Aztecas
- Are alligned with the Juarez Cartel and fighting the Mexicles and Artistas
Asesinos
- They have been known to carry out contract hits for cartels on both sides of the border as well as moving large amounts of drugs
Mexicles
- Originates as a Texas prison gang
- Mexican and Mexican-American gang
- Declared war on the Barrio Azteca in 1999.
- Their war with the Barrio Azteca made them good candidates for the Sinaloa to hire them as hitman and grunts for the war against the Juarez cartel.
Artistas Asesinos
- Juarez street gang
- Aligned with the Sinaloa Cartel
- Used for day to day violence and drug distribution
- Also known as Los Doble A
The Mexican Mafia
- Also known as La Eme
- Mexican and Mexican-American gang
- They historically are known to be tied with the Tijuana Cartel.
- They have performed hits on both sides of the border for the Tijuana cartel, as well as moving large amounts of drugs onto the streets
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| MS-13 Member |
PRIMARY CONFLICTS
Sinaloa Cartel vs Juarez Cartel
This was the primary conflict during 2009-2010 in the news, simply because it has the highest body count. Most of the actual fighters are contract workers and street gangs that are employed by the cartels. The death toll between these two cartels has been massive, so most important cartel members try to stay away from the bloodshed. The cartels have employed any street thug, gangster, and hitman that money can buy. Buying a cheap allegiance makes for an expendable person. A loss of 20 street level gangsters in a shootout in Juarez has no impact to these cartels. They simply recruit more teenage boys out of the slums.
The main reason for the conflict is control of the valuable Juarez/ El Paso corridors. Reportedly the Sinaloa cartel broke a cease fire between the cartels in Juarez, leading a ruthless assault on the Juarez territory for control of the corridors.To date, the Juarez cartel is significantly weakened and at the brink of defeat. Violence has dropped in Juarez, and most of the fighting is for street level drug sales. It is believed the Sinaloa Cartel has a strong hold on Juarez and the corridors.
Gulf Cartel/New Federation vs Los Zetas
Centered in Matamoros and Reynosa, the fight is between the ruthless Los Zetas and their former employers the Gulf Cartel who have controlled the area for some time. Tony Tormenta, one of the leaders of the Gulf Cartel was killed by security forces in a 3 hour gun fight in the center of Matamoros. Gun shots were clearly heard across the border at a university in Brownsville, Texas.
Reynosa at most times seems to be controlled by the Gulf Cartel on every aspect of daily life. The Los Zetas roam the outskirts and highways in the Northeastern states. They make calculated attacks and hits, taking out Gulf Cartel members at will.
The main reason is for the conflict is for control of the South Texas corridors. The Los Zetas have attacked with ruthlessness that has never been seen before in this area of Mexico. The Gulf Cartel has had no choice but to try to protect its corridors and defend itself from the attacking Los Zetas. The Gulf Cartel has made alliances with several other cartels, they are receiving help in fighting the Los Zetas in reward of lending corridor access to other cartels.
Mexico vs The Cartels
Felipe Calderon declared war on drug cartels in late 2006.He has since deployed thousands of military troops, federal police, and state police into the worst areas. At the same time he has fired thousands of municipal police for involvement with the cartels, such as taking bribes and corruption.
Troops and police have toppled many top ranked cartel leaders. The death toll is highly overwhelmed with cartel and gang members, while generally few police or military are killed in conflicts.
Mata Zetas/New Generation Jalisco Cartel/Sinaloa Cartel vs Los Zetas/Milenio Cartel
This war kicked off in Veracruz when the Mata Zetas (Zeta Killers) ruthlessly rounded up and killed 35 Zetas. They dumped the bodies in the middle of a busy street during rush hour.To date, the Mata Zetas have killed close to 100 Zeta members in the State of Veracruz in a short time. The Mexican Military has attempted to round up sicarios from both sides in attempt to slow this battle.
The los Zetas attacked Guadalajara in revenge for the attack on Veracruz. The Zetas killed 26 people they claimed were associated with the Jalisco Cartel.
The Zetas and Sinaloa Cartel have emerged as the two major forces in Mexico. The Zetas control a large portion of the drug trade along the Gulf Coast while the Sinaloa controls a large portion of the Pacific Coast. They have allied local group to help in the battles.
This conflict is associated with the “Gulf Cartel/New Federation vs Los Zetas conflict”.
Beltran-Leyva Cartel vs Sinaloa
This conflict is between two groups that were once one. They have allied with other cartels to make themselves stronger.
Beltran has allied with the Zetas to fight the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels. The violence between these two groups has spread through the nation, but much of it is in the northeastern Mexico area at this time.
Many reports state that the no matter how you break down who is fighting who, that the major cartels have split into two major sides.
To date, the Beltran-Leyva Cartel is dismantled. Between attacks from Mexican Armed Forces and the Sinaloa Cartel, they have been weakened to the brink of demise.
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The map below is a good illustration of how drugs move through Mexico into the United States
The Numbers
45,000= an estimated number of people killed since the drug war began in December 2006.
8,236=number of dead between the fighting of the Sinaloa Cartel and Juarez Cartel (December 2007 to July 2010 stats from Mexican government. All numbers below were included in report)
5,864=dead in Sinaloa vs. Beltran Leyva
3,199=dead in Sinaloa vs. Gulf/Zetas
1,798=dead in Sinaloa vs. Juarez cartel
1,744-dead in La Familia vs. Gulf/Zetas
1,328=dead in Gulf vs Zetas
56=dead in La Familia vs Beltran Leyva
476=unknown deaths reported
37=Americans murdered in Mexico in 2007
111=Americans murdered in Mexico in 2010 65=Americans murdered in first 6 months of 2011 in Mexico
The Mexican Public Safety Secretary’s Office released the following numbers on apprehensions of cartel members between Dec. 1st 2006 and July 16, 2010.
1,626= total number detained
622=Gulf and Zetas detained
517= La Familia members detained
304=Sinaloa members detained
84=Juarez Cartel members detained
65=Tijuana Cartel members detained
34=Valle de Colombia Cartel members detained
How are the cartels funding such massive operations?
The drug trade is obviously the number one product that brings in cash, however cartels within their own territories often are involved in many aspects of daily life and the underworld life.
Other things that cartels are involved in and sometimes control:
Human smuggling
Human trafficking
Prostitution
Illegal oil sales
Illegal DVD and CD sales
Nightclubs and stripclubs
Many other legal businesses that money is laundered through include restaurants, stores, pharmacies, street vendors, and political movements.
How do the cartels continually recruit large numbers of members?
Most people the press consider cartel members, are not true members of the cartels. Like I stated before, they are contract workers, recruited gang members, and independent contract killers. It is a combination of a poor economy, and intimidation that brings Mexico’s youth into the cartel underworld. The fact that the number of youth in some areas that graduate high school and go to college is statistically low, makes it easy for cartels to lure youth into doing odd jobs and street level crimes for the cartels for considerable larger amounts of pay than they can make legally.
Intimidation is also another major factor. Many people are often approached and lured into doing tasks for the cartels, knowing harm will be the result if they say no.
Where do the cartels get their large number of guns?
The nation of Mexico has only one gun store. UCAM (Unidad de Comercialización de Armamento y Municiones), is run by the Army and located in Mexico City. At this store citizens can buy one small handgun, which is restricted to a .38 special or smaller, or single shot hunting rifles. Private gun stores are illegal in the country.
Mexico’s gun laws are similar to the United Kingdom. They are stricter when potential prison sentences can be handed for possession of a firearm. Entering Mexico with a gun or even a single round of ammunition can be punished with up to 5 years in prison.
Contrary to popular belief, all of Mexico’s illegal guns do not come from the United States. Many older style weapons have been brought from Central America. Central American nations were flourished with cheap automatic weapons during their civil wars. Many of these weapons have made their way into the hands of Mexican Cartels.Many reports by the Mexican government state that 90 percent of weapons in Mexico come from the US. However this is not accurate, it is actually 90 percent of guns “traced” are from the US.
Guns from other countries usually do not have tracking numbers. The US supplies access to serial numbers in a database to Mexico for such purposes. No other countries do this.Guns have been bought in bulk from South America and Russia by Mexican Cartels. These loads may not be as recent as the US guns, but they are still on the streets.The Mexican government recently reported that they had 9,000 Mexican police guns went missing. These guns most likely ended up in the hands of criminals.
Guns that the US Government sold to the Mexican military have also ended up in the hands of criminals. With guns a high commodity and corruption everywhere, no gun is safe in Mexico.American weapons are still the weapon of choice for most Mexican Cartels. Almost everyone has heard of the “Fast and Furious” scandal.
Thousands of guns were allowed to travel by order of the ATF into Mexico with hopes of tracing them back to cartels. The results were horrible. Basically none were traced and a US Border Patrol Agent was killed with one of those weapons. Documents have been revealed that may show the plan was in order to push stronger gun regulation in the US.
What are the options to defeat, or at least slow down the violence and control of the cartels?
- Number one is to help the USA’s drug problem. Through treatment programs and possible legalization of minor drugs, the money flow into Mexico could be drastically slowed.
- Number two is to help Mexico boost their economy, so they are not dependent on cartel money in some areas. This is much easier said than done, but it has to be continually addressed.
- Number three is to either promote a peace truce between cartels, or hope that one takes control and minimizes all the other cartels but itself, therefore allowing peace among the cartels.
Rooting out corruption among government officials and police are vital. Corruption is bound to happen with the amount of money the cartels make, but President Calderon has done a great job of eliminating many who are corrupt.
Cartel influence is massive in the USA at this moment. Many of our street gangs our being overseen and controlled by Mexican drug cartels. The cartels are hesitant to slap their name on things in the US yet, simply because they want to avoid the government heat.
Many do not agree with my point of views on solutions, but it is ignorant to think that by simply confronting the cartels with armed force you will ever win.
As long as there is a huge drug economy and demand in the USA, there will always be a provider to fill these orders south of the border somewhere.
K. Mennem
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MAS INFO and RESOURCES
English.aljazeera.net
Borderlandbeat.com
Blogdelnarco.com
Elpasotimes.com
NYtimes.com
Wikileaks.org
Reforma.com
MSNBC.com
Stratfor.com
Reuters.com
CNN.com
BBC.com
NPR.com
UPI.com
Photos by Julian Cardona
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