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Quanta Report
CrimeSinaloa, Mexico

Desperate Cartel Alliances Signal Major Shift in Global Drug Trade

A tense partnership is forming between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel amid increased crackdowns by authorities.

By Maria Abi-Habib, Paulina Villegas, Alan Feuer and Adriana ZehbrauskasSource: nytimes.com1 min read

In brief

In a dramatic turn of events, internal strife within the Sinaloa Cartel has led to an unexpected alliance with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, potentially reshaping international drug trafficking networks.

In a striking development within the drug trafficking world, the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, known for its prominent role in the fentanyl trade, has encountered significant turmoil due to internal conflicts and heightened law enforcement pressure from both Mexico and the United States. In an attempt to regain power and influence, a faction of the cartel, led by the sons of infamous drug lord El Chapo, has controversially allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an adversary from the past. This unprecedented alliance signals a potential shake-up within the global criminal landscape, exacerbating the ongoing violence that has gripped the streets of Sinaloa and beyond. Historically, the Sinaloa Cartel has operated a vast empire that extends its reach from North America to New Zealand, capitalizing on drug trafficking; however, its current vulnerability could allow its rival to emerge as a formidable force.As analysts observe these developments, concerns grow regarding the reorganization of international drug markets due to this unlikely union. A prominent expert from the Brookings Institution, Vanda Felbab-Brown, likened the shift to a secession during the Cold War, illustrating its far-reaching implications for the distribution of power within the drug trade.Given the current trajectory, these alliances may not only change the criminal undercurrents in Mexico but could also ripple across numerous countries and reshape global drug trafficking dynamics, highlighting the ever-evolving and perilous nature of organized crime.

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