Alžběta SchejbalováAddressing
PLISMUN 2025 the impact and influence of the
Sinaloa Cartel on governments in North and South Ameri.”
Topic one: Addressing the Impact and Influence of the
Sinaloa Cartel on Governments in North and South
America
1. Committee Introduction
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – established in 1997 is a global
leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime, in addition to being responsible for
implementing the United Nations lead programme on terrorism. Its headquarters are in Vienna
and it operates 20 field offices, as well as liaison offices in New York and Brussels.
UNODC works to educate people throughout the world about the dangers of drug abuse and to
strengthen international action against illicit drug production and trafficking and drug-related
crime. To achieve those aims, UNODC has launched a range of initiatives, including alternatives
in the area of illicit drug crop cultivation, monitoring of illicit crops and the implementation of
projects against money laundering.
2. Key Terms
Sinaloa Cartel - An international criminal organization based in Sinaloa state, Mexico,
involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime. Known for its
innovative trafficking methods, Sinaloa Cartel is among the most-powerful drug-
trafficking syndicates in the world.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – Along with the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG is one of
the biggest and leading cartels in Mexico.
Narco-corruption - The infiltration of state institutions by drug cartels through bribery,
coercion, and other means to secure their operations.
Mexican Drug War - An ongoing conflict between the Mexican government, drug cartels,
and rival criminal groups, which began in 2006 with the government’s declaration of
war on drug trafficking.
Fentanyl - A synthetic pepiride opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin, widely
trafficked by the Sinaloa Cartel and a major driver of the ongoing opioid crisis in the
United States.
Narco-terrorism – Attemps of the narcotic traffickers to influence policies of a government
through violence or intimidation in order to hinder the enforcement of anti-drug laws.
Money Laundering - The process of disguising financial assets for them to be used without
detection of the the illegal activity that produced them.
Merida Initiative - A security cooperation agreement between the United States, Mexico,
and Central America aimed at combating drug trafficking, organized crime, and related
violence, ran between 2007 and 2021.
Coca Cultivation - The farming of coca plants, primarily in Colombia, which serves as the
raw material for cocaine production. Cartels usually partner with local producers in
order to make cocaine.
3. Topic overview
The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful and influential drug trafficking organizations
in the world. Founded in the late 1980s in Mexico, the cartel has grown into an international
criminal empire with operations spanning both North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
Its dominance is sustained by its expansive network of drug production, trafficking, money
laundering, and its ability to coerce or corrupt government officials, law enforcement
agencies, and judicial systems.
The cartel’s primary operations include the production and trafficking of cocaine,
methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. These drugs are smuggled into North America,
particularly the United States, which serves as the largest consumer market. In addition, the
cartel profits from human trafficking, extortion, and arms smuggling, amplifying its
destabilizing impact on the region.
The Sinaloa Cartel has deeply infiltrated the political systems of many countries in America.
In Mexico, it has historically bribed high-ranking officials, including police commanders,
governors, and even federal authorities, to ensure its operations remain uninterrupted. This
corruption erodes public trust in government institutions and undermines the rule of law.
Beyond Mexico, the cartel has established partnerships with criminal groups in Colombia and
Venezuela to ensure a steady supply of coca and logistical support for trafficking routes. In
the United States, the cartel’s influence is seen in the rise of violent gang activity and the
opioid crisis, driven by the widespread availability of fentanyl.
The cartel’s operations are often accompanied by extreme violence. Rivalry with other
cartels, such as the CJNG, has resulted in bloody conflicts, with thousands of civilian
casualties caught in the crossfire. Kidnappings, assassinations, and public displays of
brutality are tools used by the cartel to maintain control and instill fear.
This violence extends to civil society, with journalists, activists, and community leaders
frequently targeted for exposing corruption or resisting the cartel’s dominance. The
humanitarian toll is immense, with families displaced, communities destroyed, and children
recruited into criminal activities.
The cartel’s influence extends far beyond Latin America. It fuels the opioid crisis in North
America, costing billions in healthcare, law enforcement, and societal losses. Its money
laundering activities destabilize financial systems worldwide, and its ability to operate across
borders highlights the limitations of national sovereignty in tackling transnational crime.
Despite efforts by national governments and international organizations, the Sinaloa Cartel
continues to adapt and thrive, exploiting gaps in governance and weak enforcement
mechanisms. This raises critical questions about how to address the cartel’s influence
effectively while respecting human rights and sovereignty.
2. Historical Background
The Sinaloa Cartel was founded in the late 1980s when Mexico became the primary transit
point for drugs destined for the United States. Mexican traffickers seized the opportunity, and
the Sinaloa Cartel emerged as one of the most organized and ambitious groups.
One of the cartel’s early leaders, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, became the face of the
organization. He expanded the cartel’s operations into cocaine trafficking, forming
partnerships with Colombian suppliers and using innovative smuggling methods, such as
tunnels and hidden compartments in vehicles.
The Rise of the Cartel (1990s-2000s)
The 1990s marked a period of consolidation and expansion for the Sinaloa Cartel. As rival
cartels waged bloody turf wars, the Sinaloa Cartel solidified control over key smuggling
routes into the United States, including the infamous “Plaza” system, where cartels pay bribes
to control specific drug trafficking corridors.
During this period, the cartel began to exert influence over Mexican politics and law
enforcement. Bribery became a central tool, with the cartel paying off police, judges, and
government officials at every level. This corruption allowed it to evade capture, disrupt rival
operations, and expand its reach.
In 2006, the Mexican government launched a militarized crackdown on drug trafficking
under President Felipe Calderón. The so-called “Mexican Drug War” led to widespread
violence as the government targeted cartels, and cartels retaliated against both the state and
each other. The Sinaloa Cartel leveraged its resources and political connections to emerge as
one of the most dominant organizations during this chaotic period.
El Chapo’s Leadership and International Expansion (2000s-2010s)
Under the leadership of Joaquín Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the Sinaloa Cartel
became a truly transnational organization. It expanded its operations beyond Mexico,
partnering with criminal groups in Colombia, Venezuela, and other South American nations
to control coca production and trafficking routes. It also established a foothold in Europe and
Asia, smuggling cocaine and methamphetamine to international markets.
El Chapo’s leadership became legendary, not only for his ruthlessness but also for his
dramatic escapes from prison. In 2001, he escaped from a maximum-security facility by
bribing guards, and in 2015, he escaped again through a mile-long tunnel dug directly into his
cell. These events embarrassed the Mexican government and highlighted the extent of the
cartel’s corruption.
Post-El Chapo Era and Ongoing Influence (2016-Present)
El Chapo was recaptured in 2016 and extradited to the United States in 2017, where he was
convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2019. Despite his absence, the Sinaloa Cartel has
remained resilient, largely due to its decentralized structure. Leadership passed to figures like
“El Mayo” Zambada and Guzmán’s sons, collectively known as “Los Chapitos.”
The cartel’s operations have shifted toward the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs,
especially fentanyl and methamphetamine. These drugs are cheaper to produce and far more
potent, making them highly profitable. Fentanyl trafficking has exacerbated the opioid crisis
in North America, contributing to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually.
In recent years, the cartel has faced challenges from rival groups, particularly the Jalisco New
Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has emerged as a violent competitor. Nevertheless, the
Sinaloa Cartel remains a dominant force in the Americas, using corruption and violence to
maintain its influence.
4. Relevant International Frameworks and Treaties
• UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000).
• UN Convention against Corruption (2003)
• Merida Initiative (US-Mexico cooperation on drug trafficking)
• Organization of American States (OAS) efforts against organized crime
• Discuss the limitations of these frameworks in combating the Sinaloa Cartel
5. Countries’ positions
1. Mexico
Mexico has borne the brunt of the Sinaloa Cartel’s activities, experiencing widespread
violence, corruption, and instability. The Mexican government acknowledges the devastating
impact of cartels on its governance, economy, and public safety. Efforts to combat the cartel
have included military crackdowns, police reforms, and international cooperation, such as the
Merida Initiative with the United States. However, these strategies have had mixed results, as
corruption within state institutions continues to undermine enforcement.
2. United States
The United States views the Sinaloa Cartel as a significant threat to its national security and
public health, particularly due to the opioid epidemic fueled by fentanyl trafficking. The U.S.
government has prioritized efforts to disrupt the cartel’s supply chains, dismantle its financial
networks, and extradite its leaders for prosecution. Through initiatives such as the Merida
Initiative, the United States has provided Mexico with funding, intelligence, and technical
support to combat drug trafficking. However, tensions between the two nations have
occasionally arisen, especially when U.S. officials perceive Mexico as not doing enough to
curb cartel influence.
3. Colombia
Colombia plays a critical role in the global drug trade, as it is one of the largest producers of
coca, the raw material for cocaine. The Sinaloa Cartel has strong ties with Colombian
criminal groups, including dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC). These partnerships enable the cartel to secure a steady supply of cocaine for
international distribution. The Colombian government recognizes the cartel’s destabilizing
influence and has sought to curb coca production through aerial fumigation, alternative
development programs for farmers, and cooperation with international partners. However,
ongoing corruption and limited control over rural areas continue to hinder these efforts,
allowing the cartel to thrive in certain regions.
4. Venezuela
The Venezuelan government has been accused of complicity in drug trafficking, with
allegations that state actors collaborate with the Sinaloa Cartel and other criminal
organizations. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused high-ranking Venezuelan
officials, including members of the government, of participating in drug trafficking networks.
Venezuela denies these allegations, arguing that it is a victim of international drug trade
dynamics and U.S. interference. Meanwhile, the lack of transparency, a crumbling economy,
and widespread corruption create an environment in which the Sinaloa Cartel can operate
with relative impunity.
5. Central America
Pexacerbates existing issues such as gang violence and human trafficking, further
destabilizing the region.
7. Questions a resolution should answer
How can governments address corruption linked to cartel influence without destabilizing
their institutions?
What measures should be taken in order to disturb cartel’s financial networks and money
laundering?
What role can social programs and NGOs play in combating the roots of organized crime?
How can the South and North America cooperate in order to straighten international security
and at the same time maintain their sovereignty
8. Appendix
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