Major Sinaloa Cartel Figure Arrested, Dealing a Significant Hit to the Organization
Body: In a significant development, Mexican military forces have apprehended José Ángel Canobbio, a pivotal figure in the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, in the northern city of Culiacán. Known by his alias "El Güerito" or "little blond one", Canobbio is believed to be a close associate of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, the son of the infamous incarcerated drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
Mexican authorities assert that Canobbio's arrest, who was reportedly responsible for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán's security, is a significant setback for the Sinaloa cartel. The arrest occurred only hours after the U.S. classified the Sinaloa cartel, along with seven other Latin American crime syndicates, as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). This classification by the Trump Administration is intended to enhance efforts against these criminal entities.
The majority of these newly designated FTOs are based in Mexico. As a result, the Trump Administration has increased pressure on the Mexican government to intensify its crackdown on these groups, particularly concerning their trafficking of synthetic drug fentanyl.
Earlier this month, Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, successfully persuaded the U.S. to postpone a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports for a month. Mexican authorities hope that Canobbio's arrest, who was indicted in absentia by a federal grand jury in Chicago in November for allegedly smuggling fentanyl into the U.S., will demonstrate their dedication to combating drug trafficking.
The indictment identifies Canobbio as the chief advisor, lieutenant, and security head for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, who assumed control of the Sinaloa cartel after his father's imprisonment. Security specialist David Saucedo claims that Canobbio played a significant role in the Sinaloa cartel's participation in smuggling fentanyl into the U.S. Saucedo, speaking on Mexico's Radio Formula, anticipates a swift extradition of Canobbio to the U.S.