SEATTLE - Following the recent arrest of two high-profile Mexican drug lords, a Virginia-based private security firm is urging Americans traveling to Mexico in the next few days to be cautious and monitor trusted sources to avoid any getting caught up in a violent flare-up.
Mexican government officials at the border state of Chihuahua also raised concerns over possible violence and are preparing for a "worst-case scenario," said Public Safety Director Gilberto Loya on July 29. "Why prepare? Because it is not clear what happened. There could be a different response from criminal groups if it was a surrender or a betrayal between cells of the same cartel," Loya added.
Mike Ballard, director of intelligence for Global Guardian said that travelers "should pay attention to warnings or notices from the U.S. Embassy and consulates." He also added that travelers "should maintain awareness of where they are going, especially (border cities) like Tijuana and Juarez."
Warnings from different groups come in response to the arrest of alleged Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of jailed drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. The two were arrested on July 25 in El Paso, Texas.
Since their arrests, Guzmán López, leader of the Chapitos faction of the cartel, was flown to Illinois to face federal charges there. On July 30, he pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Zambada waived his initial court appearance last week and is believed to be jailed in El Paso. He also pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against him.
According to Ioan Grillo, a top reporter covering cartels and drug-trafficking in Mexico, Zambada was lured under the pretext of a meeting with Guzmán López and a Sinaloan politician. In a report with Juan Alberto Cedillo, he explained that El Mayo had traveled to Culiacán from his hideout in Durango about a week earlier to get cancer treatment.
However, upon arriving at a designated residence, he was ambushed by gunmen loyal to Guzmán López. The attack overpowered four of El Mayo's bodyguards, who remain unaccounted for, while another bodyguard and an assistant managed to escape. Bound and transported approximately 35 kilometers to the ranch of Lazareto, El Mayo was then flown north.
In order to prevent any retaliation from organized crime groups, Loya said that Mexican law enforcement will focus on areas in Chihuahua where cells of the Sinaloa cartel are known to operate.
"The scenario that everyone fears is a larger conflict and complete split between Zambada and the Chapitos," Ballard said. "There could be real violence in northwest Mexico where they have the most control... and the Jalisco cartel could look at the turmoil and try to push for control of territory," Ballard added.
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