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Snapshot 4:Tue, Aug 26, 2025 3:43:24 PM GMT last edited by JoseMoura

Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder 'El Mayo' Zambada Pleads Guilty in New York

Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder 'El Mayo' Zambada Pleads Guilty, Faces Life in PrisonNew for Cartel RoleYork

Above: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces the guilty plea of "El Mayo" Zambada on Aug. 25, 2025. Image credit: *** GETTY *** Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The Spin


Zambada's admissionhas ofadmitted to bribing police, military commanders and politicians, exposesconfirming thelong-running deepsuspicions corruption that allowedMexican theofficials Sinaloaat Cartelall tolevels operatewere freelycomplicit forwith decades.the HisSinaloa guiltyCartel pleaand confirms what many have longallowed suspectedit -to thatoperate Mexicanfreely officialsfor at all levels were complicit in the cartel's operationsdecades. TheGiven fact that he won't cooperate with U.S. authorities, meansthough, these corrupt officials canmay breathenow easy,feel but the damage to Mexico's reputation is already donerelieved.

PresidentAuthorities Sheinbaumin showsMexico nohave concernnever been concerned about potential testimonyclaims from Zambada becauseregarding Mexicothe hascountry's properofficials, legalas procedures to handle any allegations. Anymust claimsfirst he makes must be supported by evidence and investigatedthen by prosecutors. Make no mistake, Mexico's Federalis Attorneyno General's Officenarco-state. TheThis opposition'sis attemptsthe tosame paintold Mexico asand afailed narco-state havesmear repeatedlycampaign failedthat because the peopleopposition knowand theseits accusationsforeign areallies falsecarried out in elections last year.


Metaculus Prediction

There's a 12% chance that the U.S. will deploy military forces in Mexico without the cooperation of the Mexican government before 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 7.4.1