Officials in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua are preparing for a "worst case scenario" after top drug cartel leaders, of the Sinaloa Drug Cartel, were arrested in the United States.
According to Public Safety Director Gilberto Loya, Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos “told us to prepare for the worst of scenarios in case of a spike in violence from these detentions. Why prepare? Because it’s not clear what happened. There could be a different response from criminal groups if it was a surrender or a betrayal.”
Americans coming to Mexico in the coming days are being warned to be prepared and cautious to avoid being caught up in riots and street violence in the aftermath. However, they're not yet recommending canceling trips into Mexico.
The warnings come in response to last Thursday’s arrest in El Paso of Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Guzman Lopez is a leader of the Chapitos faction of the cartel. Reportedly, he's been flown to Illinois, where he will face federal charges. Zambada, however, has waived his initial court appearance and is believed to be currently jailed in El Paso.
Loya also warned of the potential fallout of arresting the leaders of one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. “We are preparing, we are working in cooperation with the Army, the National Guard, and local police in case there’s an impact from this,” he said. “We could have a rearranging at the top of criminal structures for newly opened spaces. Revenge could happen if there was a betrayal. We have an obligation to guarantee the safety of Chihuahua residents and all those who may find ourselves in our state.”
Loya said Mexican law enforcement will focus on areas in Chihuahua where cells of the Sinaloa cartel are known to operate.
These two were known as the masterminds behind the surge of illegal fentanyl from Mexico to the United States, which has taken the lives of countless United States citizens.
While the arrest of these cartel leaders is a big win for law enforcement, it is expected that the work of the cartel will continue with the production of illegal drugs. It is widely expected that new leadership will step in. It’s likely that “El Mayito Flaco” is already running things for his father.
The Drug Enforcement Administration lists Ismael Zambada-Sicairos, 42, as a fugitive of justice. The son of Ismael Zambada is also known as “El Mayito Flaco” and is considered armed and dangerous.
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