The Juárez Cartel emerged in the late 1980s, during a transformative period for the Mexican drug trade. Its rise to power was driven by Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as “El Señor de los Cielos” (“The Lord of the Skies”) for his innovative use of a fleet of Boeing 727 aircraft to transport tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico and then into the United States.
After Amado’s mysterious death in 1997 during a botched plastic surgery operation, the cartel was thrown into turmoil. Leadership passed to his nephew, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, but he faced relentless challenges, including internal disputes, rivalries, and pressure from Mexican and U.S. authorities.
Ciudad Juárez, the cartel’s home base and a critical point of entry for drug smuggling into the U.S., became one of the world’s most violent cities. This was primarily due to the war between the Juárez Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The conflict, known as “La Guerra en Juárez,” claimed tens of thousands of lives, transforming the city into a war zone.
Activities of the Juárez Cartel
The Juárez Cartel engages in a wide range of criminal activities, including:
- Drug Trafficking: Their primary revenue source involves smuggling cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the United States through strategic border crossings.
- Human Trafficking: The cartel is involved in smuggling migrants and exploiting vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children.
- Extortion: Local businesses in Juárez are often forced to pay “protection money.”
- Money Laundering: Profits are laundered through a network of shell companies, real estate investments, and offshore accounts.
Control over vital smuggling routes, known as “plazas,” is central to the cartel’s operations. These routes connect South American producers to U.S. consumers, giving the Juárez Cartel a significant strategic advantage.
Alliances and Rivals
Initially, the Juárez Cartel maintained strong ties with Colombian cartels, such as the Medellín and Cali cartels, ensuring a steady supply of cocaine. In Mexico, they initially worked with the Sinaloa Cartel and smaller groups, but these relationships soured after Amado Carrillo’s death.
- Rivals:
- Sinaloa Cartel: The fight for control of Ciudad Juárez sparked one of the deadliest conflicts in Mexico’s drug war history.
- Los Zetas: This paramilitary cartel used brutal tactics to challenge Juárez’s dominance in key territories.
- CJNG: The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has recently emerged as a formidable competitor, seeking influence in Juárez.
- Alliances:
- In recent years, factions of the Juárez Cartel have formed temporary alliances with smaller criminal groups to maintain territorial control.
Key Figures in the Juárez Cartel
- Amado Carrillo Fuentes (“El Señor de los Cielos”): The visionary leader who revolutionized drug trafficking with his use of aircraft, amassing immense wealth and power before his untimely death.
- Vicente Carrillo Fuentes (“El Viceroy”): Amado’s brother who assumed control but struggled to maintain the cartel’s dominance; he was arrested in 2014.
- Rodolfo Carrillo Fuentes (“El Niño de Oro”): Known for his arrogance and influence, Rodolfo’s assassination in 2004 exacerbated internal tensions within the cartel.
- La Línea: The cartel’s armed wing, composed of corrupt law enforcement and hired mercenaries, plays a critical role in defending its territory and enforcing its control.
