Mexico’s Promised ‘Pacification’ of Sinaloa: A Year After ‘El Mayo’ Zambada’s Arrest, Violence Surges

One year ago, the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, was hailed by many as a decisive blow against organized crime in northwestern Mexico. Yet today, Sinaloa remains engulfed in unprecedented violence. More than 1,500 people have died amid brutal infighting between rival cartel factions known as Los Chapitos and Los Mayos—a grim reminder that mere arrests without strategic control only deepen chaos. Can Promises Replace Real Action? Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum insists that “we are working and we will pacify Sinaloa.” Her administration has deployed 11,000 soldiers and National Guard personnel to the...