Evolving Dynamics in the Sinaloa Cartel Conflict Two Years After El Mayo’s Extradition

Two years after the extradition of Ismael Zambada García, known as “El Mayo,” to U.S. authorities—a move viewed as a betrayal by one faction—the conflict between the Chapitos and Mayiza wings of the Sinaloa Cartel continues to affect the region, with broader implications for the nation’s criminal structure.

InSight Crime’s Victoria Dittmar and co‑director Steven Dudley recently visited Culiacán, Sinaloa, where they spoke with drug producers, residents, and local sources. They observed a city where the visible signs of the war have diminished but the underlying tension remains.

In this episode of The InSight Take, managing editor Deborah Bonello interviews them about what this shift means for the rival factions and for the people of Sinaloa. Below is a summary of their discussion.

What is happening in Culiacán right now?

• Visible indicators of cartel activity—such as lookouts, branded caps, and narcocorridos—have largely disappeared from the city. It is uncertain whether this represents a lasting change or a temporary lull until another faction gains dominance.
• The nature of the violence has shifted rather than ceased. Open shootouts have given way to more targeted killings. During their visit, a mass shooting occurred at a local Chinese restaurant in the city center, apparently aimed at a narcocorrido singer.
• Residents have adjusted their routines to avoid the conflict and refrain from appearing to take sides. Many describe performing a daily security assessment before leaving home, businesses close earlier than before, and nightlife, though diminished, is slowly reviving.

Who is winning the Sinaloa Cartel war?

• One apparent beneficiary is Fausto Isidro Meza, alias “Chapo Isidro.” After years out of the public eye, he may now be positioning himself as the leading figure in the organization.
• The fighting has moved southward toward Mazatlán and the Nayarit border, corridors that may offer greater strategic value to the competing groups.
• After two years of conflict, the war has exacted a heavy toll on all sides, prompting the factions to seek new revenue streams through increasingly predatory tactics.

Is this the end of the Sinaloa Cartel?

• The Sinaloa Cartel is not disappearing; it is undergoing a reconfiguration of its leadership structure.
• This marks the cartel’s third factional war in the past two decades. While further confrontations are likely, locals believe the broader criminal framework remains intact.

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