The Gulf Cartel is one of the largest drug trafficking groups in Mexico. Its current main rival is the Sinaloa Cartel. In January 2007, Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels involved in trafficking drugs into the United States. Since that time, violence between the cartels and federal police as well as the Mexican army have increased, with over 7,000 deaths attributed to the war on drugs since its inception.Los Angeles Times: Mexico's Drug War (February 19, 2009)
Mexican Drug Cartel Background
In the 1980s, the United States began closing off drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean. This weakened the large Colombian cartels, and soon, cocaine and other drugs began to be sold wholesale to Mexican cartels, such as the Gulf Cartel. These Mexican cartels then grew in power.PINR: Mexico's Internal Drug War (August 14, 2006)
Rivals and Activity
The Gulf Cartel's main rivals are the Sinaloa Cartel, the Juarez Cartel, and the Tijuana Cartel. PINR: Mexico's Internal Drug War (August 14, 2006) As the Sinaloa Cartel has become weaker, the other cartels have sought to consolidate their power over their rival's turf, and this has resulted in bloody clashes in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua.Reuters: U.s. Sees Mexico Drug Gang Violence Getting Worse (June 8, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
-
Base of operations
-
Security Detail
-
Major figures
-
Fact:
Under pressure from rival Sinaloa Cartel
-
Fact:
Rivalry has led to steadily increasing violence in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
-
Fact:
Over 50,000 soldiers and police have been dispatched to fight the war on drugsLos Angeles Times: Mexico's Drug War (February 19, 2009)
-
Fact:
Violence has steadily moved north, toward border townsLos Angeles Times: Mexico's Drug War (February 19, 2009)
-
Fact:
Protesters of the violence blocked four U.S. entry points on February 18, 2009The New York Times: Drug Tie Seen to Protests... (February 19, 2009)
-
Fact:
Officials claim protesters were recruited by the drug lordsThe New York Times: Drug Tie Seen to Protests... (February 19, 2009)
