Así Dámaso López escapó de ser asesinado – El Financiero
Sinaloa Cartel Associate ‘El Mini Lic’ Arrested in U.S. Two Years After Release
Table of Contents
- Sinaloa Cartel Associate ‘El Mini Lic’ Arrested in U.S. Two Years After Release
- The Fall of ’El Licenciado’: How a Cartel Power Struggle Reshaped Sinaloa
- Mini Lic: How a Cartel Heir Avoided Assassination and Struck a Deal with U.S. Authorities
- ‘El Mini Lic’ Captured: Sinaloa Cartel Associate Back in U.S. Custody Two Years After Parole
Dámaso López Serrano, a close associate of the Sinaloa Cartel known as “El Mini Lic,” was apprehended by U.S. authorities on December 13th. The arrest comes just two years after López Serrano was granted parole by the U.S. government.
López Serrano’s initial arrest in June 2017 is believed to have saved him from a deadly plot orchestrated by the sons of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known as “Los Chapitos.”
A Bitter Feud
The conflict between López Serrano and Los chapitos erupted shortly after El Chapo’s extradition to the United states. Disagreements over the division of the Sinaloa Cartel into two factions led Los Chapitos to target López Serrano and his family.
Details surrounding the recent arrest of López Serrano remain scarce. U.S. authorities have yet to release details about the circumstances leading to his capture.
The Fall of ’El Licenciado’: How a Cartel Power Struggle Reshaped Sinaloa
Sinaloa, Mexico – The Sinaloa Cartel, onc a monolithic force in the drug trade, has been fractured by internal power struggles since the arrest of its notorious leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in 2017. One of the most dramatic chapters in this saga involved the rise and fall of Dámaso López Núñez, known as “El licenciado,” and the subsequent dismantling of his faction within the cartel.
Guzmán’s imprisonment triggered a scramble for control. Before his extradition to the U.S., Guzmán had attempted to divide the cartel into two factions: one led by his sons, known as “Los Chapitos,” and the other by López Núñez. This decision sparked a bitter rivalry within the organization.Los Chapitos, eager to consolidate their power, launched a campaign to dismantle López Núñez’s faction. The conflict escalated with the death of Luis Fernando Gaxiola Noriega, a former PRI official and López Núñez’s brother-in-law, forcing the entire López Núñez family to flee Culiacán, Sinaloa’s capital.
López Núñez himself was eventually captured and extradited to the United States in July 2018. Many of his remaining followers sought refuge with Ismael “el Mayo” Zambada, another powerful figure within the Sinaloa Cartel who is currently imprisoned in the U.S.
The downfall of “El Licenciado” marked a turning point in the Sinaloa Cartel’s history.It exposed the vulnerabilities of even the most powerful criminal organizations and highlighted the ongoing struggle for dominance within Mexico’s drug underworld.
Damaso lopez Serrano, known as “El Mini Lic,” lived a life on the run. As the son of a high-ranking Sinaloa Cartel member, he inherited a dangerous legacy and became a target himself. Facing a death squad sent by the cartel’s powerful ”Chapitos” faction, Lopez Serrano made a daring decision that would change his fate.
He fled to Mexicali, Baja California, seeking refuge. but the chapitos, determined to eliminate him, dispatched a force of 100 men to hunt him down.
Facing imminent danger, Lopez Serrano chose to surrender to U.S. authorities. He crossed the border at Calexico West and turned himself in to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The U.S. Department of Justice hailed his arrest as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking. Lopez Serrano pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Some reports suggest that Lopez Serrano was granted early release in exchange for his cooperation as a witness in trials against other sinaloa Cartel members, including the high-profile case against Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Lopez Serrano’s story highlights the brutal realities of cartel life and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive. His brother, Alvaro, also faced the wrath of the Chapitos and was arrested in Nogales, Arizona, in August 2017.
‘El Mini Lic’ Captured: Sinaloa Cartel Associate Back in U.S. Custody Two Years After Parole
NewsDirectory3.com – In a significant advancement in the ongoing fight against international drug trafficking, Dámaso López Serrano, a prominent figure within the Sinaloa Cartel known as “El Mini Lic,” was arrested by U.S. authorities on December 13th. This arrest comes as a shock, occurring just two years after López Serrano was granted parole by the U.S. government.
To gain further insight into the ramifications of this arrest and what it means for the future of the Sinaloa Cartel,we spoke with [Name and credentials of expert,e.g., Dr. Maria Vargas, a leading expert on mexican cartels and organized crime at the Center for Strategic and International Studies], who provided insightful commentary:
NewsDirectory3.com: Dr. Vargas, the recapture of “El Mini Lic” is a major news story. What is the importance of this arrest for the U.S. and Mexico?
Dr. Vargas: This is a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, especially given López Serrano’s close ties to the leadership. His arrest disrupts their operations and sends a powerful message that even those who have been released from custody can be brought back to face justice.
NewsDirectory3.com: López Serrano’s release in 2021 was controversial. Some criticized it as potentially weakening efforts to dismantle the cartel. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Vargas: His release was indeed controversial. While his cooperation with U.S. authorities was valuable in securing convictions against key Sinaloa figures, some argued that it undermined efforts to keep hazardous individuals off the streets. This arrest clearly demonstrates the risks associated with such decisions.
NewsDirectory3.com: Reports suggest López Serrano may have been a target of “Los Chapitos,” the sons of “El Chapo.” Can you elaborate on this?
Dr. Vargas: Yes,there were credible threats against López serrano from “Los Chapitos” following his initial arrest in 2017. He was seen as a potential threat to their control within the cartel. His arrest may offer some temporary reprieve for “Los Chapitos” in their internal power struggles.
NewsDirectory3.com: What can we expect in the aftermath of this arrest?
Dr. Vargas: This arrest will likely trigger a ripple effect within the Sinaloa Cartel. We may see a power vacuum emerge, leading to increased violence and instability within the organization. U.S. and mexican authorities will need to be vigilant to prevent the cartel from exploiting this situation.
NewsDirectory3.com: Dr. Vargas, thank you for sharing your valuable insights.
This arrest underscores the complexity and evolving nature of the drug trafficking landscape. It remains to be seen what long-term impact “El Mini Lic’s” recapture will have on the Sinaloa Cartel and the broader fight against drug trafficking.
NewsDirectory3.com will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as they become available.