Draft:Ismael Zambada Sicairos
| Submission declined on 4 March 2025 by Cinder painter (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Ismael Zambada Sicairos | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982 (age 42–43) Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Other names | El Mayito Flaco |
| Occupation | Drug trafficker |
| Organization | Sinaloa Cartel |
| Known for | Drug trafficking, cartel leadership |
| Criminal status | Fugitive |
| Parent | Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García (father) |
Wanted by | DEA |
| Wanted since | 2020 |
Ismael Zambada Sicairos (born 1982) is a Mexican drug trafficker and a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel. He is the son of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García, one of the cartel’s most powerful leaders. Zambada Sicairos, known as *El Mayito Flaco*, has been implicated in international drug trafficking operations, particularly in the United States and Mexico. He has remained a key figure within the cartel’s internal power struggles and is wanted by U.S. authorities for his role in large-scale narcotics distribution.
Early life and background
[edit]Ismael Zambada Sicairos was born in 1982 in Sinaloa, Mexico, into a family deeply entrenched in the drug trade. His father, El Mayo Zambada, has been a dominant force in the Sinaloa Cartel for decades, working alongside or in competition with figures like Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
Growing up in this environment, Zambada Sicairos and his siblings were exposed to cartel operations from an early age. He eventually assumed responsibilities within the organization, playing a role in overseeing drug trafficking logistics, security, and cartel finances. His nickname, *El Mayito Flaco* ("The Skinny Little Mayo"), distinguishes him from his brother, Ismael Zambada Imperial ("El Mayito Gordo").
Criminal career and role in the Sinaloa Cartel
[edit]Zambada Sicairos is identified as a key player in the **"Mayiza" faction**, a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel led by his father. His specific responsibilities have included:
- **Drug Trafficking Operations** – Overseeing the movement of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into the United States.
- **Money Laundering** – Managing cartel financial operations, including money laundering networks operating in Mexico and abroad.
- **Security and Enforcement** – Controlling armed groups that provide security for drug shipments and enforce cartel orders.
Following the **2016 arrest and extradition of El Chapo Guzmán**, tensions grew between factions within the Sinaloa Cartel. Zambada Sicairos has been involved in internal conflicts with **Los Chapitos** (El Chapo's sons), who have sought to consolidate power.
Rivalry with Los Chapitos
[edit]The internal dispute between the **Mayo Zambada** faction and **Los Chapitos** escalated after El Chapo’s imprisonment. **El Mayito Flaco**, along with his father, has resisted the influence of **Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, Joaquín Guzmán López, and Ovidio Guzmán López**. This struggle has resulted in violent confrontations, particularly in **Culiacán** and the **Golden Triangle region** (Sinaloa, Durango, and Chihuahua).
Legal issues and fugitivity
[edit]Zambada Sicairos has been a **fugitive wanted by U.S. authorities**, particularly the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He has been indicted in the **United States** for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
2020 charges and DEA investigation
[edit]In **2020**, U.S. authorities issued an **arrest warrant** for Zambada Sicairos on **drug trafficking and money laundering charges**. He has been linked to cocaine and fentanyl shipments that have entered the U.S. through traditional cartel routes, including **Arizona, Texas, and California**.
Despite these charges, Zambada Sicairos has managed to evade capture, often moving between **rural Sinaloa, Durango, and Mexico City**, where cartel operatives protect him.
Recent developments
[edit]2024: Arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García
[edit]In **July 2024**, a major shift in cartel leadership occurred when **Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García** was **arrested at the Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico**. Reports suggest that **Joaquín Guzmán López**, one of El Chapo’s sons, **tricked El Mayo into boarding a plane that led to his capture**.
El Mayito Flaco takes over the Mayo faction
[edit]Following his father’s arrest, **Zambada Sicairos assumed leadership** of the **Mayo faction** of the Sinaloa Cartel. This marked a significant turning point, as he became one of the cartel’s top figures. However, this transition **fueled ongoing violence**, particularly in **Culiacán**, where **Los Chapitos** and the **Mayiza faction** have engaged in violent clashes.
Personal life
[edit]Due to his involvement in organized crime, little is publicly known about Zambada Sicairos’ personal life. He is believed to have several properties across Mexico, particularly in **Sinaloa and Baja California**. Unlike some other cartel figures, he has maintained a relatively **low profile**, avoiding public appearances or social media exposure.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]- DEA Most Wanted List
- "La guerra interna del Cártel de Sinaloa: El Mayo vs. Los Chapitos," *El País*, September 14, 2024.
- "U.S. indicts Ismael Zambada Sicairos for drug trafficking," *Reuters*, March 2023.
- "Inside the power struggle of the Sinaloa Cartel," *Insight Crime*, August 2024.
- ^ McDonnell, Patrick J. (18 February 2020). "Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada: The last drug lord standing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Federal Indictment Charges Ismael Zambada Sicairos with Drug Trafficking". U.S. Department of Justice. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Villamil, Jenaro (5 November 2021). "Sinaloa Cartel's leadership after El Mayo: A closer look at La Mayiza faction". El País. Retrieved 3 March 2025.