DEA chief: Mexican officials work with cartels, "Los Chapitos" face life sentences

The head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has accused high-ranking Mexican officials of collaborating with drug cartels. Terry Cole stated that these officials are working directly with cartels and warned that the leaders of "Los Chapitos," a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, face the same fate as Joaquín Guzmán Loera, "El Chapo," and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada: life in prison.

Cole's remarks came during an interview following the International Drug Control Conference. He highlighted the intensified pressure on major drug cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which were designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. The DEA is prioritizing the pursuit of figures like Juan Carlos Valencia, "El Pelón," of the CJNG, as well as government officials implicated in drug trafficking conspiracies.

The U.S. has accused ten Mexican officials and former officials of conspiring to traffic drugs and protect "Los Chapitos" in exchange for bribes. Cole acknowledged that cartels have proven adept at replacing their leaders but stressed the DEA's commitment to pursuing those involved in drug trafficking and harming Americans. He cited the convictions of "El Mayo" Zambada and "El Chapo" as examples of the DEA's success.

Despite these accusations, Cole also recognized the Mexican government's efforts. He noted that Mexico has intensified its operations in Sinaloa and Jalisco and affirmed that communication between himself and Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch is fluid, with daily exchanges of information regarding targets.

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Hoy, Rafael Caro Quintero está en prisión. El Mayo ha sido condenado y sentenciado a cadena perpetua. El Chapo fue condenado y sentenciado a cadena perpetua. ¿Qué le espera al liderazgo de Sinaloa, Los Chapitos? Pronto estarán igual, no cederemos, seguiremos persiguiéndolos.