The arrest of José Ángel Canobbio, the security chief for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, highlights increasing international pressure on cartel operations as the U.S. designates the Sinaloa cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
Major Setback for Sinaloa Cartel with Arrest of El Chapo's Son's Security Chief
Major Setback for Sinaloa Cartel with Arrest of El Chapo's Son's Security Chief
José Ángel Canobbio, known as "El Güerito," is detained in Culiacán, marking a substantial blow to the operations of the Sinaloa cartel.
In a significant move against drug trafficking, the Mexican military has apprehended José Ángel Canobbio, a crucial member of the Sinaloa cartel, in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Known by the nickname "El Güerito" (little blond one), Canobbio is accused of serving as the chief of security for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, one of the sons of the notorious incarcerated drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
The authorities have underscored that Canobbio's capture inflicts a severe blow to the operations of the Sinaloa cartel, especially coming shortly after the United States formally designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). This classification is expected to enhance U.S. efforts to combat such criminal enterprises. Alongside the Sinaloa cartel, the U.S. State Department also categorized seven additional Latin American crime syndicates as FTOs, including the Jalisco New Generation cartel and the Gulf cartel.
Mexican officials are feeling mounting pressure from the Trump Administration to intensify their crackdown on drug trafficking, particularly regarding the distribution of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in the United States. Earlier this month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum negotiated with her U.S. counterpart to delay a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports, suggesting cooperation between the two nations in addressing the drug crisis.
Canobbio's indictment in absentia by a federal grand jury in Chicago for allegedly trafficking fentanyl further emphasizes his involvement in high-level cartel operations. Security expert David Saucedo notes that Canobbio's role was pivotal in orchestrating the smuggling of fentanyl across the U.S. border. As the legal proceedings unfold, experts anticipate that Canobbio will likely be extradited to the United States swiftly.
The arrest of Canobbio, alongside other recent actions against drug operatives, signals an ongoing commitment from Mexican authorities to confront the complexities of drug trafficking and its associated violence.
