Antonio Heras
Correspondent
The newspaper La Jornada
Saturday, July 27, 2024, p. 4
Mexicali, BC., Ismael’s arrest The May Zambada has had a profound effect on the relationship between Mexico and the United States, especially in the areas of security, anti-drug policies and international cooperation, but fentanyl trafficking to the United States will not be reduced and the Jalisco cartel will be strengthened. New generation (CJNG), said José María Ramos, a researcher at the College of the Northern Border.
The specialist in governance, security and Mexico-United States relations explained that the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamines will not decrease because it is a transnational problem and that the arrest will strengthen the leadership of the CJNG in drug trafficking activities; in addition, it will generate violence in the areas where the Sinaloa cartel is most concentrated.
The arrest is temporary, he warned, the structural problem is the high consumption of synthetic drugs in the United States, which is on the rise.
Failed public health approach
In his text “The fall of Zambada empowers the CJNG”, the researcher pointed out that the public health approach promoted by the government of President Joe Biden is a failure, which led to pressure on the Mexican government for greater collaboration in the fight against drugs and these apprehensions would be relevant to the scarce efforts
from that country.
Ramos said that under a possible Trump administration, pressures for greater anti-drug cooperation will increase, so the Mexican challenge is to design a transnational agenda and a greater commitment with the United States to reduce the high consumption of synthetic drugs.
He acknowledged that Zambada’s figure is crucial to understanding drug trafficking in Mexico and serves to analyze the complex relationship between Mexico and the United States.
Zambada’s influence and operations have shaped security policies, bilateral cooperation strategies and left an indelible mark on the contemporary history of both countries.
Ramos said, while pointing out that his arrest, like that of Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán will not substantially reduce drug trafficking on the borders with the United States.
