Following the death of Mexico's drug mafia leader 'El Mencho', violence has erupted in several places. This cartel leader was shot down in a military operation. It’s a common occurrence in Mexico. The culture of cartels trading in narcotics like cocaine has permeated small Latin American countries so deeply that its eradication even challenges a powerful nation like the USA.
These drug mafias and cartels have plagued America for decades due to the country's status as the largest consumer of cocaine globally. From heroin to marijuana, many other narcotics see high demand in America. This demand is met by the likes of drug lords sitting in Latin American countries such as Pablo Escobar, El Chapo, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, and Amado Carrillo Fuentes. These drug mafias once wielded such power that they ran parallel governments in countries like Colombia and Mexico.
To comprehend how prohibited drugs like cocaine reached the USA from Colombia and Mexico, delving into the stories of grand cartels' leaders is crucial. People often credit cocaine's direct flow from Colombia, referencing tales of Pablo Escobar. Although true, Mexico played a role in the drug’s path to the USA. When 70s and 80s Colombian drug lords found it tough reaching America, they enlisted gangs trafficking cannabis in Mexican pockets to form new routes.
The Smuggling Web from Colombia to Mexico
Small cannabis traffickers in Mexico, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Guadelajara Cartel, and California Baja Gang, had established smuggling routes that delivered cannabis to America. Colombian cocaine traffickers—like the Cali Cartel and Pablo Escobar—teamed up with Mexican cartels to leverage these paths.
Pablo Escobar: The World's Most Notorious Drug Lord
A massive 95% of cocaine seized in America was then produced in Colombia. At one time, Colombia, with its overwhelming hold on cocaine supply, became home to the planet’s most fearsome drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar. His full name was Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria. Residing in Colombia’s Medellín, Escobar’s cartel, dubbed the Medellín cartel, reigned terror. Although born in Rionegro, Colombia, Escobar’s journey began within the shackles of poverty. Starting with petty theft and minor smuggling on the streets, he ventured into cocaine trafficking in the early 1970s, forming the Medellín cartel. By the 80s, 80% of the cocaine entering America and Europe was supplied by the Medellín cartel.
Source: aajtak
Through cocaine smuggling, Pablo became the world’s seventh wealthiest human, as reported by Forbes in 1989. With drug money, he indulged in noble acts in Colombia, earning significant political clout. Legends claim he once controlled the Colombian government, the entire nation from behind the scenes. In his drug trade expansion, Pablo aligned with Mexican small-time traffickers, including Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, who ran with the Cali Cartel. His collaborative ventures proved lucrative, solidifying Mexican drug mafia's grip as Miguel became the preeminent name among Mexican cartels.
In 1991, Pablo orchestrated a plane bombing, killing ten people. Rumor had it that presidential candidate Cesar Gaviria was aboard the plane, but he wasn’t. Following this, the Colombian government sought aid from the U.S. DEA to undermine Escobar’s terror and narco empire. On December 2, 1993, Escobar was gunned down in Medellín through the DEA and Colombian Police’s Operation 'Search Bloc'.
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo: Mexico's 'Boss of Bosses'
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo helmed the Guadalajara Cartel in Mexico, earning the title 'Boss of Bosses'. At one point in the 80s, Felix controlled virtually all illegal drug trafficking from Mexico to the USA. From El Chapo to the former Sinaloa Cartel boss Palma Salazar, every Mexican cartel worked under him. He was arrested in 1985 for the murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, then seen as Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficker.
'El Chapo': The Most Cunning Drug Leader
El Chapo led the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel. His full name is Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán. Initially, he worked for El Güero Palma—also known as Palma Salazar—who was the former Sinaloa Cartel leader. Together with the Juárez Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel collaborated to ferry cocaine to the USA. El Chapo's role was to oversee the cocaine consignment headed to the USA. Starting as an aide, he gradually rose to lead the wealthiest and most powerful Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. El Chapo was arrested three times, with his final capture on January 8, 2016. He was considered far more powerful and violent than his cartel predecessors.
Source: aajtak
The Cali Cartel (Gilberto Rodríguez and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela)
The Cali Cartel was a potent Colombian drug smuggling gang helmed by brothers Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela. Persistent clashes occurred between them and Pablo Escobar's faction. Especially, younger brother Miguel Rodríguez exhibited a tendency for violence. Collaborating with Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s Guadalajara Cartel and other gangs, they operated for a significant duration. Known as Pablo’s adversary, the Cali Cartel was a powerful rival.
Eldest brother Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela formed a gang named 'Los Chemas' with his siblings and Jose Santacruz Londoño, dealing in extortion and bribery before turning to cocaine trade. Gilberto was captured in 1995.
