The criminal structure of The Chapitos has suffered considerable casualties in recent months. Security leaders and financial operators have been captured by authorities, creating significant instability within the organization. The internal war within the Sinaloa cartel, which began on September 9, 2024, has further destabilized the group, particularly the network of operations led by Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, one of the sons of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

The Key Players and Operations

As the Chapitos struggle to maintain their grip on power, key figures have found themselves entangled in a web of betrayal, arrest, and death. Some of the most significant blows include the captures of José Ángel Canobbio Inzunza, alias El Güerito and Kevin Alonso Gil Acosta, alias 200, who were closely associated with Guzmán Salazar. Both were key operators in the cartel’s command structure. Additionally, the capture of Mauro Alberto “N”, alias El Jando, a pilot for Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, represents another significant loss for the group.

The Gulf Clan and its Alliance with the Sinaloa Cartel

Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, also known as Bad Chiquito, is the current leader of the Gulf Clan, one of the largest criminal organizations in Colombia. Born in San Pedro de Urabá, Antioquia, in 1977, Ávila began his career in the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). He later joined the Urabeños, consolidating as a commander in the Urabá region, where he controlled the transport of drugs to Central America. After the capture of Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias Otoniel, Ávila assumed the leadership of the Gulf Clan in 2021.

Ávila’s connection with the Sinaloa Cartel strengthens the alliance between the two groups, who have collaborated for years in international drug trafficking. This partnership provides them with weapons, money, and mercenaries trained in military tactics by Colombian ex-paramilitaries, known as Bacrim. The U.S. Department of State and the DEA have accused Ávila of drug trafficking and belonging to a criminal enterprise, further complicating the legal landscape for both organizations.

Fentanyl Trafficking and Key Operators

Samuel León Alvarado is one of the main traffickers of fentanyl to American territory, primarily in states like California, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He is accused of collaborating with Ovidio Guzmán López, alias El Mouse, one of the Chapitos, in the distribution of approximately 80 kilograms of fentanyl, primarily in the Los Angeles area. According to the U.S. Department of State and the DEA, León Alvarado operated as one of the fentanyl trafficking leaders, participating in the production, storage, and distribution of the substance in the form of pills and powder. In 2023, a Federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of New York formally accused him of conspiracy to import fentanyl, possession of machine guns, and conspiracy to launder money. León Alvarado is sought by U.S. authorities, who offer a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture. His role in the organization also links him to other cartel operators, such as Noel Pérez López, Liborio Núñez Aguirre, alias El Karateca, and Luis Javier Benítez Espinosa.

León Alvarado is considered dangerous due to his base in Culiacán and his ability to mobilize reactions, as seen in the Culiacánazo, a violent incident in 2019 when cartel members stormed a prison to free El Chapo’s son, Joaquín Guzmán López, alias El Chapito.

The Impact on U.S. Security

The unraveling of the Chapitos’ structure has significant implications for U.S. security. The ongoing power struggles within the Sinaloa Cartel create an environment of instability that could lead to increased violence and drug trafficking across the U.S. border. The DEA and other law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring these developments, recognizing the potential threat to national security. The capture of key figures like José Ángel Canobbio Inzunza and Kevin Gil Acosta are seen as significant victories, but the overall threat remains high.

The DEA has offered a reward of up to $4 million for information leading to the capture of Óscar Noah Medina González, alias El Panu, a lieutenant close to Iván Archivaldo and in charge of coordinating uprisings in Sinaloa. DEA

El Panu, a veteran of the Sinaloa Cartel, has past ties with both Ismael Zambada García, alias El Mayo Zedillo, and Dámaso López Núñez, alias El Licenciado, as well as the Tapia family of the Golden Triangle, known for their extensive experience in drug trafficking for Guzmán Loera and their support for El Mayo. Despite the setbacks, some key figures continue to hold significant command, maintaining a grip on the organization’s activities.

Key Concentration Areas

The capture of Liborio Núñez Aguirre, alias El Karateca, a 67-year-old man, is a significant blow to the fentanyl trafficking operations. He is also linked to buying and selling properties as safe houses and hideouts, using his enormous fortune to negotiate with authorities. The federal charges against him, which included conspiracy for fentanyl trafficking, possession of military weapons, and money laundering, highlight his critical role in the organization. El Karateca’s capture is seen as a major victory for U.S. authorities, who hope it will disrupt the cartel’s operations significantly.

The Sinaloa cartel has had to contend with betrayal, death, and arrests that have left significant power voids within their ranks. These voids are being filled by new operators, but the overall stability of the organization remains in question. The recent developments have shed light on the internal workings of the cartel, providing U.S. authorities with valuable insights into their operations and strategies.

Recent Arrests and Impacts

Mario Alberto Jiménez Castro, alias El Kastor, was assassinated on February 2, 2025, in the State of Mexico. The attack occurred in the municipality of Calimin, where his body was found after a shooting. Witnesses reported hearing at least three shots, and an unidentified subject approached El Kastor and attacked him before fleeing in a vehicle. Jiménez Castro was known for his involvement in financial activities within the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly with the faction of The Chapitos. He was accused of money laundering related to fentanyl trafficking using cryptocurrencies to move funds. U.S. authorities had issued a $1 million reward for his capture, regarding him as a key operator in money laundering. His death leaves a significant void in the financial operations of the cartel, although new figures are likely to emerge to fill the gap.

The Road Ahead

The future of the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly the Chapitos faction, remains uncertain. The ongoing internal conflicts, coupled with increased pressure from U.S. and Mexican authorities, have weakened the organization. However, the cartel’s history shows that it has a remarkable ability to adapt and rebuild. The recent arrests and killings have dealt significant blows, but they have also provided valuable intelligence that could be used to dismantle the group further. U.S. authorities are vigilant, recognizing that the threat from the cartel remains high and that continued vigilance and cooperation with Mexican law enforcement are crucial.

The Betrayals within the cartel leadership showcase that no individual is beyond suspicion, fueling internal fights that could very well be the organization’s undoing.