A new crime map for Mexico

"In Mexico, and in Latin America in general, crime is no longer just drug trafficking. The old paradigm where cocaine, marijuana, and heroin fueled illicit industries, especially in rural areas, has given way to a different, much more complex reality. Any economy is fair game, from avocados and limes in Michoacan to street market stalls and transportation routes in Guerrero, to the theft of gasoline from the pipelines of the national oil company, Pemex."

"His death in a shootout with the military confirms the Mexican authorities' intensified fight against crime. But the disappearance of various figures from the criminal chess board leaves the cartels without leadership and ushers in a period of uncertainty, in which violence looms as a menacing possibility."

"In this new paradigm, the CJNG and El Mencho paved the way, while building new protection networks, shielded by regional political power. Beyond El Mencho, the criminal underworld has undergone numerous changes in recent months, especially considering the erosion of power within the Sinaloa Cartel's main factions, particularly Los Chapitos."

Mexico's criminal organizations experienced significant leadership disruptions in early 2024 with the capture of Cesar Sepulveda, Ryan Wedding, and the death of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera (El Mencho) in military operations. These removals created uncertainty and potential violence as cartels reorganized. Crime in Mexico and Latin America has evolved beyond traditional drug trafficking into diversified criminal enterprises targeting avocados, limes, transportation, gasoline theft, and street markets. Cartels reduced drug production costs by shifting to synthetic drugs while establishing protection networks through regional political connections. The Sinaloa Cartel experienced power erosion within its factions, particularly Los Chapitos, as the criminal underworld underwent substantial structural changes.

Read at english.elpais.com