Link To Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng4g31x1wo
On July 26, 2024, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a major drug lord and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, was arrested in El Paso, Texas. Zambada was deceived into boarding a plane, thinking he was going to inspect airstrips in Mexico, but was actually traveling to El Paso, Texas, where he was captured by U.S. federal agents. Along with him, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of jailed cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was also arrested. Guzman had planned Zambada’s arrest with U.S. federal agents because he believed Zambada was responsible for the arrest of his father, El Chapo. Zambada faced many serious charges including the trafficking of fentanyl, which is believed to be a major contributor to the U.S. opioid crisis. Because of Zambada’s major influence on drug trafficking, the DEA and FBI see this as a key step in fighting the drug epidemic and disrupting powerful criminal organizations.
The arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was an importatnt moment in our struggle against drug trafficking. Zambada’s major role in the Sinaloa Cartel makes his capture incredibly significant as it disrupts one of the most influential drug cartels in the world. This capture may also help reduce the transportation of fentanyl into the U.S. which is incredibly important. The arrest ultimately impacts both the U.S. and Mexico as it may help reduce drug violence and the transportation of these drugs across the border. This event shows the complicated and dangerous nature of drug cartels and shows how deception and revenge play a role in drug-related crimes. This arrest may lead the U.S. to increase its focus on eliminating remaining drug cartel activities in the country and it’s along its borders. The event was a major step against drug trafficking and gave the U.S. motivation to continue tracking down the transportation and use of these illegal drugs. Mexico may call for more transparency from the U.S. following the operation, and they also may try to help the U.S. and continue to collaborate with them to cut down on drug trafficking. Although the arrest may disrupt the Sinaloa Cartel, I think they may seek retaliation, as well as replacements for Zambada and Guzman.
The arrest of Zambada is a great representation of countries working together to fight crime around the world. It relates to global health and how different criminal groups and drug organizations can affect the health and safety of the human race. Fentanyl is a deadly drug and the increased flow of it into our country has been a major cause of the opioid crisis in the U.S. We prioritized safety and the health of citizens by fighting drug trafficking and cartels along the border. The arrest of Zambada and the way the United States and Mexico handled it is very similar to some of the current discussions in class and ties back into the way countries communicate and work together for certain situations.