Its proximity to the Caribbean makes this region, one of the country’s most touristy areas, a key point for sending drug shipments to the United States and Europe. According to INFOBAE information, the Yucatan Peninsula, mainly composed of the states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, has become a strategic location for drug cartels due to its geographical position.
Since it is located near the Caribbean, various criminal organizations have turned it into a gateway to the United States and Europe. Additionally, its extensive coastline facilitates the landing of shipments from South America. But that’s not all.
The peninsula also has well-developed transportation infrastructure, such as highways and airports, which drug traffickers use to distribute drugs both domestically and abroad.
One of the illegal groups operating in this area is the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS). This is evident from an official document hacked by the group Guacamaya in 2022, which explains that the organization led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Los Chapitos has a presence in all three states.
But what other criminal groups are present in the Peninsula?
Quintana Roo
According to an investigation by AC Consultores, based on reports from the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) and official publications, Quintana Roo has the presence of at least five criminal organizations. These include:
Los Pelones, a splinter group of CDS.
The Caborca Cartel, founded by drug trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero.
The Gulf Cartel.
The Sinaloa Cartel.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
According to the report, most of these organizations engage in illegal activities in the municipalities of Othón P. Blanco, Bacalar, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Solidaridad, and Benito Juárez.
Yucatán
In Yucatan, a state with 106 municipalities and known for its tourist areas such as Chichen Itza, Mérida, Uxmal, Izamal, and Progreso, there has been registered activity of:
CJNG.
CDS.
The Gulf Cartel.
Los Zetas.
Independent organizations.
Regarding the Istmo Cartel, also known as the Colima Cartel or the Díaz-Parada Cartel, it is worth noting that this organization is mainly present in Oaxaca and Chiapas. At least until 2011, it operated on behalf of the Tijuana Cartel, led by the Arellano Félix family.
The Family Epitacio is a local criminal group dedicated to drug trafficking, with its main area of operation being Oaxaca. According to reports from local media, this group has been linked to Yucatan’s drug traffic since the late 1990s.
Campeche
Campeche, known as the Pearl of the Gulf and featuring tourist areas such as Edzná ruins, Chicanná, El Hormiguero, Hochob, and others, is the only entity in the Yucatán Peninsula where the four-letter cartel does not have a presence, but rather:
The Sinaloa Cartel.
Pura Gente Nueva, a splinter group of Los Zetas.
The Valencia Salgado Family.
Source: Infobae
