These are the people who are yet to lead the Sinaloa cartel after El…

According to the DEA’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment report, even before the latest developments, the Sinaloa Cartel no longer had a centralized leadership. As of May 2024, the organization was operating under a “umbrella” structure, with four primary factions and leaders: The Chapitosled by the sons of El Chapo; the faction led Through Aurelius “The Guano” GuzmanEl Chapo’s brother; a faction that used to lead Through Raphael Dear Quinterowho is now imprisoned; and the group once led Through Mayo Zambada.

According to experts, the Sinaloa cartel is still divided into four. The leadership and power seem to be in flux. That is what we know today.

Los Chapitos: El Chapo’s Legacy

After the Chapo is captured and his children form a new group called Los Chapitos. The public face of the organization was Ovidio Guzmán López, who was captured last year. His brother, Joaquín Guzmán López, is also in federal custody and was reportedly instrumental in El Mayo’s capture.

Although El Chapo had an estimated 13 children, only four were active within the organization. That leaves the lesser-known Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar as the leaders of one of the most influential groups within the fragmented cartel.

Los Chapitos are known for their ruthless tactics and aggressive attempts to consolidate power, often clashing with other factions within the cartel. According to military reports cited by media outlet Infobae, Los Chapitos are mainly active in Sinaloa, Sonora and Baja California, where they used violence to gain control of key areas.

Despite intense scrutiny from both Mexican and U.S. authorities, Los Chapitos still wields considerable influence. The US Department of Justice is actively pursuing their arrest, especially after they were charged with fentanyl trafficking in April 2023. The faction’s resilience and strategic moves have made them formidable opponents in the cartel’s ongoing power struggle.

El Guano: The Silent Powerhouse

El Chapo’s brother, Aureliano “El Guano” Guzmán, leads another faction within the Sinaloa cartel. He was seen as an ally of El Mayo. The song “El Guano” by the Tucanes de Tijuana tells his story. Although El Guano’s faction is less visible than Los Chapitos, it has considerable influence and controls major drug trafficking routes. The DEA and other law enforcement agencies have identified El Guano as a key figure in the cartel’s operations. However, his faction has faced internal challenges and pressure from Los Chapitos.

Reports from security experts, included former DEA agent Mike Vigil suggests El Guano’s power is waning, especially in light of the ongoing conflict with Los Chapitos. Vigil argues that El Guano’s faction may struggle to maintain its influence as the cartel continues to unravel.

Caro Quintero: The Narco of Narcos

Rafael Caro Quintero, once one of Mexico’s most feared drug lords, led a faction within the Sinaloa cartel until his latest arrest in July 2022. Caro Quintero, known as “El Narco de Narcos,” has seen a significant decline in his influence, especially after his arrest. Although his faction remains part of the cartel’s fragmented structure, it lacks the power and influence it once had.

Caro Quintero’s arrest has left his faction vulnerable, as other groups within the cartel vie for control of its former territories. Analysts such as journalist Anabel Hernández have noted that Caro Quintero’s downfall marks a major turning point for the cartel, further destabilizing internal power dynamics.

Zambada’s Legacy: El Mayito Flaco Takes Over the Reins

With the capture of El Mayo Zambada, the leadership of his faction appears to have passed to his son, Ismael Zambada Sicairos, better known as “El Mayito Flaco.” Despite his low profile, El Mayito Flaco has gained considerable influence within the cartel. According to military reports and documents obtained by Guacamaya Leaks, hHe has systematically replaced his father’s networks and now runs drug trafficking and money laundering operations in California.

El Mayito Flaco’s rise has not been without its challenges. The ongoing conflict with Los Chapitos, combined with the ever-present threat of law enforcement, has forced him to be cautious and strategic in his moves.

The Future of the Sinaloa Cartel

The split of the Sinaloa Cartel into four competing factions ushered in a new era of uncertainty for the organization. As experts like Ioan Grillo point out, the power struggle within the cartel is likely to intensify, with El Mayito Flaco and Los Chapitos poised for a potentially violent confrontationAs the cartel continues to disintegrate, it becomes increasingly doubtful whether it can continue to operate effectively.

Experts like Mike Vigil believe that the cartel’s decentralization could ultimately lead to its downfall, with internal conflicts undermining its power and influence. The relative calm currently being observed could be a harbinger of a violent power struggle reminiscent of previous conflicts that have devastated other criminal organizations in Mexico.

As the Sinaloa Cartel faces this critical point, the world watches to see whether a new leader will emerge to unite the organization or if it will continue to fragment. paving the way for rivals like the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) cartel to dominate Mexico’s criminal underworld.