Since last September, there has been a vicious struggle between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which however has not stopped its lucrative business of exporting drugs to the United States.
The intra-cartel war pits one faction, led by the son of “El Mayo” Zambada against the Chapitos, sons of “El Chapo” Guzman. (See Sinaloa Cartel War – Death Toll Passes 1,200). Here’s a map showing the Sinaloa Cartel’s dominant areas of operation, in red:
Meanwhile, you can’t expect narcos from other cartels to sit quietly. In fact, it’s now possible that the CJNC (Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación) is teaming up with the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. This map shows the dominant areas of the CJNG, in blue:
From the UK’s Mirror:
“Fears are growing over a new ‘super cartel’ as two of the most violent gangs in Mexico are believed to have formed an alliance – Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the ‘Los Chapitos’ faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.”
“A video spread on social media showing several armed men with two others appearing to have been captured by the drug cartels. There is no information as to the location the image was taken, however, those who took the video have claimed it shows an alleged alliance between CJNG and ‘La Chapiza’, a group of armed men who work for the Sinaloa Cartel faction. One of those in the video is heard saying: ‘The rumours are true, the alliance between the New Generation Cartel and La Chapiza is confirmed.’ “
“In the video they also refer to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who is known as El Mencho, and to one of Joaquín Guzmán Loera’s sons who have been identified as leaders of the notorious gangs. As the video draws to a close, the men fire their weapons into the air in celebration.”
This fits in with a DEA analysis presented in its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment .
“The video appeared online shortly after the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) published its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, which included mention on a potential alliance between the notorious gangs.”
“It is believed that working together, the two groups are hoping to strengthen their operations and to provide a stronger front against common rivals, particularly the faction led by Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada – a former top leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who was arrested in July 2024…”
“Negotiations between CJNG and Los Chapitos are said to have began [sic, should be “begun”] last year, as representatives met in Guadalajara and Nayarit. It has been reported that as part of the agreement to work together, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar , one of the Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán’s sons, would be handed over to the CJNG as a guarantee. The DEA report added: ‘According to Mexican news sources, CJNG could capitalise on the conflict between the Los Mayos and Los Chapitos factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, essentially by choosing sides in favour of their former rivals, Los Chapitos, against Los Mayos.’ ”
According to the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, “A strategic alliance
between CJNG and Los Chapitos has the potential to expand these groups’ territories, resources, firepower, and access to corrupt officials, which could result in a significant disruption to the existing balance of criminal power in Mexico and could serve to increase northbound drug flow and southbound weapons trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border.”