2015 2015
2014 2014 Los ViagrasLos Viagras Los Viagras 2013 2013 Guerreros UnidosGuerreros Unidos Guerreros Unidos 2012 2012 La BarredoraLa Barredora La Barredora Caballeros Templarios Caballeros Templarios Caballeros Templarios Cártel Independiente de Acapulco Cártel Independiente de Acapulco Cártel Cártel Cártel del Charrodel Charrodel Charro Cártel Independiente de Acapulco 2011 2011 La Mano con OjosLa Mano con Ojos La Nueva Administración La Nueva Administración La Mano con Ojos La Nueva Administración Los Rojos Los RojosLos Rojos Cártel del Cártel del Pacífico SurPacífico Sur Cártel del Pacífico Sur Cártel de Cártel de Cártel de la Barbiela Barbiela Barbie La ResistenciaLa Resistencia Cártel Jalisco Nueva GeneraciónCártel Jalisco Nueva Generación La Resistencia Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación 2010 2010
2015 2015 Los ZetasLos Zetas Los Zetas 2009 2009
2014 2014 “El Teo” FactionFactionFaction “El Teo” “El Teo” “El Teo” Cártel de los Beltrán LeyvaCártel de los Beltrán Leyva Cártel de los Beltrán Leyva 2008 2008 Los Viagras 2013 2013
2007 2007 Guerreros Unidos 2012 2012 La Familia MichoacanaLa Familia Michoacana La Familia Michoacana 2006 2006 La Barredora Caballeros Templarios Cártel Independiente de Acapulco Cártel del Charro 2011 2011
2005 La Mano con Ojos La Nueva Administración 2005 Los Rojos Cártel del Pacífico Sur Cártel de la Barbie La Resistencia Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación 2010 2010
2004 2004 Los Zetas 2009 2009
2003 2003 “El Teo” Faction “El Teo” Cártel de los Beltrán Leyva 2008 2008
2015 2015
2002 2002
2007 2007
2014 2014 La Familia Michoacana La Familia MichoacanaLa Familia Michoacana 2001 2001 La Familia Michoacana 2006 2006 Los Viagras 2013 2013
2000 2000
2005 2005 Guerreros Unidos 2012 2012 Los Zetas Los ZetasLos Zetas 1999 1999
2004 2004 La Barredora Caballeros Templarios Cártel del Charro Cártel Independiente de Acapulco 2011 2011
1998 1998
2003 La Mano con Ojos La Nueva Administración 2003 Cártel del Pacífico Sur Los Rojos Cártel de la Barbie La Resistencia Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación 2010 2010
1997 1997
2002 2002 Los Zetas 2009 2009
1996 1996 La Familia Michoacana 2001 2001 “El Teo” Faction “El Teo” Cártel de los Beltrán Leyva 2008 2008
1995 1995
2000 2000
2007 2007
1994 1994 Los Zetas 1999 1999 La Familia Michoacana 2006 2006
1993 1993
1998 1998
2005 2005
1992 1992
1997 1997
2004 2004
1991 1991
1996 1996
2003 2003 Cártel del MilenioCártel del Milenio Cártel del Milenio 1990 1990
1995 1995
2002 2002 Cártel de JuárezCártel de JuárezCártel de Juárez Cártel de TijuanaCártel de TijuanaCártel de Tijuana Cártel de SonoraCártel de SonoraCártel de Sonora Cártel de SinaloaCártel de SinaloaCártel de Sinaloa 1989 1989
1994 1994 La Familia Michoacana 2001 2001 Cártel de ColimaCártel de Colima Cártel de Colima 1988 1988
1993 1993
2000 2000
1987 1987
1992 1992 Los Zetas 1999 1999
1986 1986
1991 1991
1998 1998
1985 1985 Cártel del Milenio 1990 1990 Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony Payan created this Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony timeline in collaboration with program manager Lisa Guáqueta. Saldaña compiled the July 2015 and February 2016. His source materials research for this project between are listed in the references sheet. The Mexico Center thanks Guadalupe Correa- Barrada and Fernando Chinchilla for their contributions to this Cabrera, Rocío Rivera Sonja Fulbright and Shawn O’Neill. project. Graphic design by 1997 1997 Payan created this Payan created this Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony timeline in collaboration with program manager Lisa Guáqueta. Saldaña compiled the timeline in collaboration with program manager Lisa Guáqueta. Saldaña compiled the July 2015 and February 2016. His source materials July 2015 and February 2016. His source materials research for this project between research for this project between are listed in the references sheet. The Mexico Center thanks Guadalupe Correa-are listed in the references sheet. The Mexico Center thanks Guadalupe Correa- Barrada and Fernando Chinchilla for their contributions to this Barrada and Fernando Chinchilla for their contributions to this Cabrera, Rocío Rivera Cabrera, Rocío Rivera Sonja Fulbright and Shawn O’Neill. Sonja Fulbright and Shawn O’Neill. project. Graphic design by project. Graphic design by
1984 1984 Cártel de Juárez Cártel de Tijuana Cártel de Sonora Cártel de Sinaloa 1989 1989
1996 1996
1983 1983 Cártel de Colima 1988 1988
1995 1995
1982 1982
1987 1987
1994 1994
1981 1981
1986 1986
1993 1993 Cártel del Golfo Cártel de OaxacaCártel de OaxacaCártel de Oaxaca Cártel del GolfoCártel del Golfo Cártel de Guadalajara Cártel de GuadalajaraCártel de Guadalajara the placement of each group on the timeline. This timeline includes every major group that has been responsible for mass drug major group that has been responsible for mass drug major group that has been responsible for mass drug This timeline includes every This timeline includes every This timeline includes every trafficking and for which sufficient information is available. Please note that the trafficking and for which sufficient information is available. Please note that the trafficking and for which sufficient information is available. Please note that the and chronology of each cartel may at times be estimated, due to and chronology of each cartel may at times be estimated, due to and chronology of each cartel may at times be estimated, due to breakdown breakdown breakdown organizations, such as conflicting data and organizations, such as conflicting data and organizations, such as conflicting data and problems inherent to the study of covert problems inherent to the study of covert problems inherent to the study of covert missing dates. Design considerations, rather than specific characteristics, determined missing dates. Design considerations, rather than specific characteristics, determined missing dates. Design considerations, rather than specific characteristics, determined the placement of each group on the timeline.the placement of each group on the timeline. NotesNotesNotes The Evolution of Cartels in Mexico, 1980–2015 1980–2015 1980–2015 Mexico, Mexico, Mexico, in in in Cartels Cartels Cartels of of of Evolution Evolution Evolution The The The 1980 1980
1985 1985
1992 1992 Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony Payan created this Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony timeline in collaboration with program manager Lisa Guáqueta. Saldaña compiled the July 2015 and February 2016. His source materials research for this project between are listed in the references sheet. The Mexico Center thanks Guadalupe Correa- Barrada and Fernando Chinchilla for their contributions to this Cabrera, Rocío Rivera Sonja Fulbright and Shawn O’Neill. project. Graphic design by
1984 1984
1991 1991
1983 1983 Cártel del Milenio 1990 1990
1982 1982 Cártel de Juárez Cártel de Tijuana Cártel de Sonora Cártel de Sinaloa 1989 1989
1981 1981 Cártel de Colima 1988 1988 Cártel de Oaxaca Cártel del Golfo Cártel de Guadalajara Notes major group that has been responsible for mass drug This timeline includes every trafficking and for which sufficient information is available. Please note that the and chronology of each cartel may at times be estimated, due to breakdown organizations, such as conflicting data and problems inherent to the study of covert missing dates. Design considerations, rather than specific characteristics, determined the placement of each group on the timeline. The Evolution of Cartels in Mexico, 1980–2015 Mexico, in Cartels of Evolution The 1980 1980
1987 1987
1986 1986
1985 1985 Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony Payan created this Mexico Center intern Juan Diego Saldaña and director Tony timeline in collaboration with program manager Lisa Guáqueta. Saldaña compiled the July 2015 and February 2016. His source materials research for this project between are listed in the references sheet. The Mexico Center thanks Guadalupe Correa- Barrada and Fernando Chinchilla for their contributions to this Cabrera, Rocío Rivera Sonja Fulbright and Shawn O’Neill. project. Graphic design by
1984 1984
1983 1983
1982 1982
1981 1981 Cártel del Golfo Cártel de Oaxaca Cártel de Guadalajara Notes major group that has been responsible for mass drug This timeline includes every trafficking and for which sufficient information is available. Please note that the and chronology of each cartel may at times be estimated, due to breakdown organizations, such as conflicting data and problems inherent to the study of covert missing dates. Design considerations, rather than specific characteristics, determined the placement of each group on the timeline. The Evolution of Cartels in Mexico, 1980–2015 Mexico, in Cartels of Evolution The 1980 1980 References
Anderson, John Ward. 1997. “Alleged Kingpin of Sonora Cartel Untouched by Law.” The Washington Post, February 26. Accessed July 21, 2015. Beittel, June S. 2012. “Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations.” Trends in Organized Crime: 1-33. Accessed July 29, 2015. Borderland Beat. 2011. “Another ‘La Barredora’ Leader Is Arrested.” November 5. Accessed July 21, 2015. Brito, Luis. 2011. “Cómo surgió la organización delictiva ‘La Mano con Ojos’.” CNN Mexico, August 11. Accessed July 21, 2015. Bunker, Robert J. 2013. “Introduction: The Mexican Cartels—Organized Crime vs. Criminal Insurgency.” Trends in Organized Crime 16.2: 129-37. Accessed January 31, 2016. Castellanos, Guillermo Valdés. 2013. Historia del narcotráfico en México. México, D.F.: Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial México. “¿Cómo surgió el grupo criminal ‘La Mano con Ojos’?” 2012. Univision Noticias, July 13. Accessed July 21, 2015. De Amicis, Albert. 2011. “Los Zetas and La Familia Michoacana Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs).” University of Pittsburgh Graduate School for Public and International Affairs, March 12. Accessed October 2, 2015. De La O, Ricardo. 2011. “Genealogía del narcotráfico (Parts 1-5).” Peninsular Digital, November 10. Accessed July 21, 2015. “El narco Miguel Ángel Caro Quintero, sentenciado a 17 años de cárcel en EU.” 2010. CNN Mexico, February 4. Accessed July 21, 2015. “El origen de ‘Los Rojos’ y ‘Guerreros Unidos’.” 2014. Televisa, November 17. Accessed September 11, 2015. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2012. 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment: Emerging Trends. Morgan James Publishing. Accessed via Google Books. Fernández Menéndez, Jorge. 2014. “Beltrán Leyva, auge y caída de un cártel.” Excélsior, March 10. Accessed July 21, 2015. Flores, Nancy. 2013. Los 89 cárteles que arrasan México. Paris: Red Voltaire. Accessed September 11, 2015. Government of Mexico. 2015. “NarcoData.” Animal Politico. Accessed December 7. Government of Mexico. 2015. “Organizaciones criminales.” Animal Politico, October 21. Accessed November 27, 2015. http://www.scribd.com/doc/286347648/Organizaciones-criminales-EPN. Grayson, George W., and Samuel Logan. 2012. The Executioner’s Men: Los Zetas, Rogue Soldiers, Criminal Entrepreneurs, and the Shadow State They Created. New Brunswick: Transaction. Accessed via Google Books. Grayson, George W. 2014. The Cartels: The Story of Mexico’s Most Dangerous Criminal Organizations and Their Impact on U.S. Security. Santa Barbara: Praeger. Grayson, George W. 2010. La Familia Drug Cartel: Implications for U.S.-Mexican Security. Carlisle, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. Grayson, George W. 2011. Mexico: Narco-Violence and a Failed State? New Brunswick: Transaction. Accessed via Google Books. Guerrero Gutiérrez, Eduardo. 2014. “El dominio del miedo.” Nexos, July 1. Accessed October 2, 2015. Guerrero Gutiérrez, Eduardo. 2014. “La dictadura criminal.” Nexos, April 1. Accessed July 27, 2015. Guerrero-Gutiérrez, Eduardo. 2011. “Security, Drugs and Violence in Mexico: A Survey.” Survey presented at the Seventh North American Forum meeting, Washington, D.C., October 6-8. Accessed October 23, 2015. Heinle, Kimberly, Cory Molzahn, and David A. Shirk. 2015. Drug Violence in Mexico: Data and Analysis Through 2014. San Diego: Justice for Mexico Project, University of San Diego. Accessed February 1, 2016. Jones, Nathan. 2013. “The Unintended Consequences of Kingpin Strategies: Kidnap Rates and the Arellano- Félix Organization.” Trends in Organized Crime 16.2: 156-76. Accessed January 31, 2016. “La Tuta Message Says: ‘Los Viagras Are the Worse Criminals I’ve Ever Met … Worse than Me’.” 2015. Borderland Beat, February 6. Accessed July 21, 2015. Langton, Jerry. 2011. Gangland: The Rise of the Mexican Drug Cartels from El Paso to Vancouver. Mississauga, Ont.: J. Wiley & Sons Canada. Accessed via Google Books. Logan, Samuel and John P. Sullivan. 2009. Mexico’s ‘Divine Justice.’ Zurich: International Relations And Security Network. Accessed July 21, 2015. Lyman, Michael D. 2013. Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts, and Control. Routledge. Accessed via Google Books. “Neza, bajo el control de la Familia Michoacana.” 2012. El Universal, August 20. Accessed July 21, 2015. “Nuevo cártel: Los Mazatlecos.” 2013. Animal Político, January 22. Accessed July 21, 2015. Ortiz, Carlos. 2010. Private Armed Forces and Global Security: A Guide to the Issues. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. Accessed via Google Books. Philip, George and Susana Berruecos, eds. 2012. Mexico’s Struggle for Public Security: Organized Crime and State Responses. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Accessed via Google Books. Polarization and Sustained Violence in Mexico’s Cartel War. 2012. Austin: Stratfor. Accessed July 21, 2015. Pérez Salazar, Juan Carlos. “México: el cártel que protagonizó el peor enfrentamiento del gobierno de Peña Nieto.” 2014. BBC Mundo, July 2. Accessed July 21, 2015. “¿Quiénes conforman el cártel de ‘Los Rojos’?” 2014. Red Politica, April 15. Accessed September 11, 2015. “¿Quiénes son los ‘Guerreros Unidos’ que azotan a México?” 2014. Semana, October 16. Accessed July 21, 2015. Ramsey, Geoffrey. 2012. “Mexico Captures Leader, Founder of Resistencia Gang.” InsightCrime, September 13. Accessed November 27, 2015. Reed, Tristan. 2015. Mexico’s Drug War: A New Way to Think About Mexican Organized Crime. Austin: Stratfor. Accessed July 21, 2015. Reed, Tristan. 2014. Mexico’s Drug War: Criminal Groups Splinter as Bosses Fall. Austin: Stratfor. Accessed July 21, 2015. Sanchez, Mariana. 2011. “Drug Gangs Wage War for Acapulco.” Al Jazeera, August 15. Accessed July 21, 2015. Sánchez Valdés, Víctor Manuel. 2015. “La nueva configuración del crimen en Michoacán.” Animal Político, March 12. Accessed July 21, 2015. Sánchez Valdés, Víctor Manuel. 2014. “¿Organizaciones criminales más pequeñas es menos violencia?” Animal Político, October 28. Accessed October 23, 2015. Stewart, Scott. 2010. Mexico and the Cartel Wars in 2010. Austin: Stratfor. Accessed July 21, 2015. Stewart, Scott. 2015. The Real ‘El Chapo.’ Austin: Stratfor. Accessed July 21, 2015. Stratfor. 2015. In Mexico, the Delineation of Cartel Power Becomes More Complex. Accessed July 21, 2015. https://www.stratfor.com/image/mexico-delineation-cartel-power-becomes-more-complex. Stratfor. 2013. Mexican Cartels: Sinaloa Federation. Accessed July 21, 2015. https://www.stratfor.com/video/ mexican-cartels-sinaloa-federation. Stratfor. 2012. Mexico Security Memo: A New Juarez Cartel. Accessed July 29, 2015. https://www.stratfor. com/analysis/mexico-security-memo-new-juarez-cartel. United States Drug Enforcement Agency. 2009. La Familia Michoacana Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Office of Public Affairs. Accessed July 21, 2015. United States Library of Congress. Organized Crime and Terrorist Activity in Mexico, 1999-2002. Washington D.C.: U.S. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division. Accessed July 21, 2015. Valenzuela, Rubén Aguilar. 2011. “El cártel de los Amezcua.” El Economista, August 22. Accessed December 7, 2015. “What Is Guerreros Unidos?” 2014. Borderland Beat, October 16. Accessed November 27, 2015. http://www. borderlandbeat.com/2014/10/what-is-guerreros-unidos.html.