### The Untouched: 30 Uncaptured Drug Lords
The detainment of key leaders from the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García and Joaquín Guzmán López alias El Güero Moreno, by U.S. authorities has not only triggered a recalibration of organized crime groups in Mexico over territorial control and drug trafficking to the north, but it has also placed the Mexican government in a precarious position. Despite many years of intelligence from both U.S. and Mexican agencies, action against prominent drug lords remains minimal.
Currently, there are at least 30 individuals leading criminal cells and major drug trafficking organizations, many of whom are listed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) due to their involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering. Although these individuals are well-identified, efforts to capture them often fall short.
The credibility of Mexican authorities across various levels is consistently marred not only by their lack of actions against these criminal enterprises and their leaders but also by accusations of corruption and protection of such groups. The present criminal policy, summarized by “Hugs, not bullets,” reflects a lenient approach. There have been some significant arrests during this administration, but several key figures have surrendered to U.S. agencies.
The primary targets for both nations belong to the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS) and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Alongside La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LFM), they are accused by U.S. authorities of producing and distributing fentanyl, which has wreaked havoc in the United States. Other criminal organizations engage in lesser degrees of organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering, keeping them under justice’s radar.
**Top Fugitives and Criminal Groups:**
1. **Sinaloa Cartel (CDS):**
– **Ismael Zambada Sicairos alias “El Mayito Flaco”:** Alleged heir of “El Mayo” Zambada with multiple charges in U.S. district courts.
– **Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar “El Chapito” and Jesús Alfredo “El Alfredito”:** Influential figures in the Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California regions.
– **Aureliano Guzmán Loera “El Guano”:** Leader in the Badiraguato region, recently escaped a military operation.
– **Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix “El Ruso”:** Operates in Mexicali and other regions, heavily sought by the FBI.
2. **Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG):**
– **Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”:** Rumored to be in declining health yet remains a high-profile target.
– **Ricardo Ruiz Velasco “El Doble R”:** Known for extreme violence and multiple charges.
– **Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán “El Sapo”:** Potential successor to “El Mencho”, avoided capture in past operations.
3. **La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LFM):**
– **Johnny “El Pez” and José Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga “El Fresa”:** Targeted by U.S. for extensive criminal activities in Guerrero and Michoacán.
Other notable figures include those from the Cártel Arellano Félix (CAF), the Beltrán Leyva cartel, and various leaders of splinter groups operating in different regions of Mexico.
### Related News
**Recent Arrests and Escapades:**
In recent developments, Mexican and U.S. authorities have made significant strides in capturing high-level cartel leaders, albeit sporadically. For instance, the arrest of “El Chaparrito,” an influential CJNG operator, has marked a small victory in the ongoing war against narcotrafficking. Similarly, the high-profile case of 35 disappearances in Tecate, Baja California in 2024 highlights the ongoing violence and control exerted by these cartels in regional territories.
**Government Accountability:**
The federal government faces intense scrutiny regarding the actions and inactions against these cartels. Recent discussions have involved whether various state and national officials will be called upon to testify regarding their knowledge and actions concerning these drug lords. As calls grow for greater transparency and accountability, there is mounting pressure on the authorities to demonstrate decisive action against some of the most dangerous criminal elements operating within Mexican borders.
Stay informed with TJGringo.com for continuing coverage on this critical issue that affects regional and national security.