### ‘El Piyi’ Linked to Trial, Alleged Leader of Los Chapitos’ Hitmen, Arrested in Culiacán
**Culiacán, Sinaloa -** Following a nearly 12-hour initial hearing, a federal judge tied Mario Alexander Gámez Cuevas, known as “El Piyi,” to trial on September 27, 2024. He is purportedly one of the top hitmen and the security chief for “Los Chapitos,” the faction led by Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, as well as Joaquín and Ovidio Guzmán López, all sons of the infamous Sinaloa drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Authorities from the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and the National Guard detained Gámez Cuevas on September 19, 2024, in the northwestern part of Culiacán. He was presented at 4:30 PM on September 26 at the Federal Center for Social Readaptation No. 1 (CEFERESO) in Almoloya de Juárez, State of Mexico, where he was held for his first court appearance.
The hearing concluded around 4:30 AM on September 27. The defense team for Gámez Cuevas tried to dismiss the arguments brought forth by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), but the judge ruled to proceed with the trial. Alongside Gámez Cuevas, six others arrested with him will face continued detainment at ‘El Altiplano’ for the next four months, allowing the FGR time for a comprehensive investigation.
Charges against Gámez Cuevas and his alleged accomplices include health law violations, bribery, and operations involving illicitly obtained resources, coupled with offenses related to the Federal Firearms and Explosives Law. During the proceedings, the FGR pinpointed Gámez Cuevas as the plaza boss for “Los Chapitos” in Culiacán, implicating him directly in recent executions in Sinaloa.
The defense countered by highlighting inconsistencies in the FGR’s report, including discrepancies between event timelines and recorded footage from the scene of his arrest. Gámez Cuevas, tagged as a source of violence in Culiacán, was seized with six associates in an operation conducted by the Army and National Guard in the Santa Fe sector.
Gámez Cuevas is also connected to recent ambushes against armed forces instigated by internal conflicts within organized crime factions. He was closely linked to Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias “Nini,” a former chief assassin for “Los Chapitos.”
Pérez Salas was apprehended on November 22, 2023, and subsequently extradited to the United States on May 25, 2024, to face charges in two indictments.
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### Additional Insights
Recent reports indicate an escalation of internal conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel, resulting in increased violence in various regions, including Culiacán. Analysts trace these tensions back to power struggles among factions vying for control since the capture and extradition of “El Chapo” Guzmán. The arrest of key figures such as “El Piyi” and “Nini” showcases law enforcement’s efforts to curb the cartel’s operations.
Despite these efforts, violence persists, especially between supporters of the Guzmán family and allies of veteran cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The government has intensified security operations, hoping to dismantle these organized crime networks, though challenges remain due to the deep-rooted influence of these criminal groups.
For instance, the assassination of prominent figures within the cartel, combined with well-coordinated attacks on public forces, raises concerns about public safety and the efficacy of ongoing military and police interventions. The complexity of these internal power dynamics continues to pose substantial obstacles to long-term stability in the region.
Understanding these elements is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of Gámez Cuevas’s trial and the state of organized crime in Mexico. As authorities push forward with judicial processes against cartel leaders, the outcomes of these cases will significantly impact the future landscape of drug-related violence and law enforcement strategies.
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