In July 2024, the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, triggered a disturbing trend in Mexico. Activist Maria Isabel Cruz, along with her colleagues from the group Sabuesos Guerreras, began to witness a significant increase in disappearances. While U.S. authorities hailed Zambada’s capture as a victory in dismantling cartel operations, local activists noted the chaos it unleashed.
Escalation of Violence in Sinaloa
Following Zambada’s arrest, tensions within the Sinaloa Cartel intensified. On September 9, 2024, a power struggle emerged, leading to a dramatic rise in violence across the region. Homicides in Sinaloa soared from 44 in August to 142 in September. The violence only escalated, with the year 2025 witnessing 1,657 killings.
Disappearance Rates Surge
Sabuesos Guerreras has reported an alarming total of 5,800 disappearances since July 2024. This figure likely underrepresents the true scale of the crisis. The societal toll of this violence is profound, especially for families like Cruz’s, who have personally experienced the tragedy of a missing loved one. Cruz’s son disappeared in 2017, heightening her awareness of the devastating impact of the ongoing violence.
The ‘Kingpin Strategy’ Under Scrutiny
As Mexico approaches the 20-year mark since declaring its “war on drugs”, the effectiveness of the ‘kingpin strategy’ remains hotly debated. This approach, which focuses on removing cartel leadership, has shown mixed results. While targeting top leaders like Zambada may draw attention, it does not address the root causes of cartel violence.
Criticism of the Current Strategy
Critics emphasize that dismantling top leaders without addressing the underlying issues leads to further fragmentation within cartels. Bernardo Leon Olea, a former security commissioner, argues that this leads to increased violence as factions vie for control. He also questions the benefit to civilians, noting that residents still face extortion and ongoing drug activity. “You’re not dismantling the criminal organization,” he stated.
- Violence Statistics:
- Homicides in Sinaloa: 44 (August 2024) → 142 (September 2024)
- Total killings in 2025: 1,657
- Reported disappearances since July 2024: 5,800
As the debate around the kingpin strategy continues, the pressing question remains: can effective solutions be found to curb cartel-related violence while ensuring the safety of ordinary citizens?
