Ismael Zambada

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced to life in prison in a U.S. court for drug trafficking crimes. He apologized for the violence and harm caused by his activities, which contributed to over a million overdose deaths in the U.S.

Ismael Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a U.S. court after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. He and Joaquín Guzmán expanded the cartel into the world’s largest drug trafficking organization, flooding the U.S. with cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

Ismael Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, will be sentenced to life in prison in a U.S. court after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. Prosecutors described him as a key strategist responsible for smuggling cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into the U.S., and he faces $15 billion in financial penalties.

Ken Salazar denied lying about U.S. involvement in the capture of drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, following accusations from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR). The arrest occurred in New Mexico in July 2024, with Guzmán López admitting to orchestrating Zambada’s kidnapping. Salazar claimed U.S. resources were not used in the operation, while a report suggested FBI involvement.

Former U.S. ambassador Ken Salazar's memoir claims former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador feared U.S. authorities might gain information from Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael Zambada about corrupt officials. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later contradicted this, stating AMLO's concern was U.S. interference in Zambada's 2024 arrest, which U.S. authorities denied orchestrating.