Mexican Cartels - Case Study

Mexican Cartels – Case Study Student’s Name Institution Course # and Name Professor’s Name Submission Date Transnational crime groups engage in a plethora of illicit activities, including weapons and drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, money laundering, trafficking of timber and wildlife, illegal mining, illegal fishing, theft of intellectual property, and cybercrime. These activities and networks have constantly increased in scale and influence within the United States and globally. Mexico has been both an origin and a facilitator of the illegal drug business for more than a century. Drug trafficking networks target neighboring countries and, specifically, a lucrative market in the United States. The Sinaloa Cartel is an internationally organized crime syndicate in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Sinaloa Cartel specializes in money laundering and illegal drug trafficking. Transnational crime gangs pose a direct threat to public safety, national security, and public health. This paper discusses the history, location, funding, and logistics of the Sinaloa Cartel. It also discusses the effects of this criminal group on the host state, including how it cooperates with terror groups operating in the region. History/Objectives Criminal organizations constitute a significant threat to human development and security globally, and Mexican drug cartels are a prominent organized crime gang in terms of economic power and violence. The Sinaloa Cartel remains one of the prominent and enduring drug trafficking gangs globally. The cartel’s complex history dates back to the late 1980s. Sinaloa is a region in Mexico with a rich history of drug cultivation and trafficking. The Sinaloa Cartel might have been motivated by opium poppy plantations in the neighboring Durango region, which played a central role in heroin production and created a haven for transnational drug trafficking networks in the region (Morris, 2024). The most dominant drugs that were preferred for cultivation in Sinaloa and its environs were opium and marijuana. Guadalajara Cartel leader was arrested in 1980, and his group split into several factions. The Sinaloa Cartel emerged from this power vacuum, and it has been led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, Héctor Luis Palma Salazar, and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021). Despite its decentralized leadership structure, El Mayo became the most notorious figure associated with the Sinaloa cartel. The primary objective of the Sinaloa Cartel has always been to make massive profits from the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs. This cartel’s business model revolved around controlling the production, transportation, and wholesale distribution of narcotics. The United States has a lucrative market for marijuana and opium, and this cartel gained access to significant drug dealers via the United States-Mexico border. In their resolve to access their lucrative markets, they had to kill and intimidate rival cartels. Confrontations with rival cartels were a national security threat, but they helped the Sinaloa Cartel to expand its power and influence. Moreover, the cartel engaged with law enforcement officers who were blocking their path to illegal success. Bribing law enforcement, military personnel, and government officials has been a critical tactic (U.S. Department of Justice, 2023). This group brutally murdered individuals who refused to accept a negotiation. Strategic use of violence and corruption has been a significant advantage that has kept the Sinaloa Cartel active till the present day. The cartel's ability to adapt, innovate, and ruthlessly eliminate competition has been central to its enduring success. Location/Geopolitics The Sinaloa Cartel remains increasingly prominent as a drug trafficking organization globally that is rooted in the geopolitical landscape of Mexico. Sinaloa is a region in Mexico with a rich history of drug cultivation, and it has been a strategic location for the Sinaloa Cartel. This region is characterized by rugged topography, characterized by the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain range, which has historically been conducive to the cultivation of illicit crops such as opium poppies and marijuana. Sinaloa is also adjacent to the United States, providing easy access to target markets for the Sinaloa Cartel (Sluys & Miller, 2023). Established routes past the border to Sonora and Chihuahua in the United States exist. These two states were pick-up points for distributors affiliated with Sinaloa Cartel in the United States. The presence of ports on the Pacific Ocean further facilitates the import and export of drugs, precursor chemicals, and other contraband. Moreover, Sinaloa has produced several influential figures in the world of drug trafficking (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021). These leaders have leveraged local loyalties, familial ties, and deep knowledge of the terrain to build and maintain the cartel’s power base. The expansion of drug trafficking by the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico to the United States and international regions has contributed to the success and sustainability of this group. Frequent fights with rival cartels for control of trafficking corridors in the United States have existed for decades. Beyond Mexico, the Sinaloa Cartel has established connections with drug producers in other countries to secure a steady supply of drugs that are not produced in Mexico. A steady supply of cocaine from Peru and Bolivia has helped the Sinaloa Cartel to make constant profits from any drug deals. The cartel has also developed a significant presence in the United States, controlling distribution networks in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York (Broadway, 2022). This shows that the Sinaloa Cartel has gained significant access to international markets. The operations of the Sinaloa Cartel have significant geopolitical implications in the context of U.S.-Mexico relations and broader international security concerns. First, the dominance of this cartel has been a major reason for the unending war on drugs in Mexico. Many citizens have been killed, and government officials opposing their activities have been assassinated. The United States has supported the government of Mexico in military and law enforcement operations to end the widespread violence between their borders, but it has not been successful. Secondly, the cartel has complicated efforts to end drug violence by corrupting government officials, law enforcement, and military personnel. Corruption allows the cartel to operate with impunity, undermining the rule of law and weakening state institutions. Moreover, the cartel has affected the rela...