The promise Los Chapitos made to 'Mencho' in exchange for protection

Criminal organizations operate unhindered thanks to the alliances they've formed. A few months ago, two powerful, bloodthirsty, and potentially expansive criminal groups emerged: Los Chapitos and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) .

As a desperate measure after the arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada , Los Chapitos turned to their adversary and secured his protection.

The move, risky for Joaquín Guzmán Loera 's sons, included protection, distribution of weapons and tactical equipment by the CJNG in exchange for Los Menores allowing 'El Mencho's' people to traffic cocaine through their routes.

According to the American newspaper, The Wall Street Journal , the movement ended up turning 'Mencho' into the biggest drug trafficker in the world .

In Mexico, analysts such as El Financiero columnist Eduardo Guerrero warn that this pact will reorganize Mexico's criminal map , in addition to triggering several wars with local criminal groups.

The alliance between El Mencho, leader of the CJNG, and Los Chapitos occurred in a context of weakness of the Sinaloa Cartel .

The capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a longtime cartel leader, sparked an internal rift that resulted in more than 2,000 murders and nearly 2,000 deaths in Sinaloa.

This weakened the Sinaloa Cartel 's structure and forced Los Chapitos to seek outside support, which facilitated their approach to El Mencho.

In December, 'El Mencho' met in Nayarit with a high-ranking official of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán , leader of Los Chapitos.

During this meeting, it was agreed that the CJNG would provide weapons, money, and fighters in exchange for access to smuggling routes and border tunnels controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel.

Before this agreement, the CJNG paid high fees to use these tunnels . As a result, Los Chapitos maintained control of the fentanyl, while " Mencho" remained in control of cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking .