Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, has been sentenced in the United States to life imprisonment without parole after decades of drug trafficking. The article argues that his case may have wider consequences because his capture, treatment and possible cooperation with US prosecutors could expose alleged links between Mexican politicians and organised crime.

Zambada was arrested in New Mexico in July 2024 after Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of “El Chapo”, allegedly kidnapped him and brought him to the US by plane; Guzmán López later admitted the kidnapping. The article notes that the cartel’s leadership losses have intensified a violent internal conflict in Sinaloa, while Mexican authorities have reopened inquiries into Zambada’s removal and questioned US involvement. It also cites past testimony alleging cartel funding for Morena, while presenting the prospect of Zambada sharing information as speculation.