Mexican military forces have eliminated a top Sinaloa cartel leader with a $1 million U.S. bounty on his head, potentially reshaping the violent power struggle that has claimed 1,200 lives in recent months.

At a Glance

• Jorge Humberto Figueroa (“El Perris”), a high-ranking Sinaloa cartel leader, was killed during a confrontation with Mexican army troops
• Figueroa was wanted by the DEA with a $1 million reward for his role in fentanyl trafficking and money laundering operations
• His death comes amid an internal Sinaloa cartel civil war between rival factions that has resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths since September
• Figueroa was aligned with “Los Chapitos,” the faction led by sons of imprisoned kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman
• The killing follows complex developments including the 2023 arrest and extradition of Ovidio Guzman to the United States

Cartel Leader Eliminated in Military Operation

Jorge Humberto Figueroa, known in cartel circles as “El Perris,” was killed during a confrontation with Mexican army troops, according to official reports. The high-ranking Sinaloa cartel figure had been a significant target for both Mexican and U.S. authorities due to his extensive involvement in transnational drug trafficking operations, particularly the production and distribution of fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had placed a $1 million bounty on Figueroa for information leading to his capture, highlighting his importance in the cartel’s criminal enterprise.

Daily @artoriastech AI Mexican Report:

Sinaloa continues to experience violence following the July arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. Between September 9th and December 2nd, 469 homicides have been reported, predominantly outside of Culiacán. Current criminal activity is…

— All Source News (@All_Source_News) December 3, 2024

Caught in Cartel Civil War

Figueroa’s death occurs against the backdrop of an increasingly violent internal conflict within the Sinaloa cartel. Since September, approximately 1,200 people have been killed in clashes between rival factions vying for control of the organization’s vast criminal network. Figueroa was aligned with “Los Chapitos,” the faction led by the sons of imprisoned kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. This group has been engaged in a brutal power struggle with another faction controlled by the heirs of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, another founding member of the cartel.

The internal cartel conflict has been characterized by unprecedented levels of violence. According to a 2023 U.S. Justice Department indictment, the Chapitos faction has employed extreme torture methods against rivals, including feeding victims to tigers. Such brutality demonstrates the high stakes in this ongoing struggle for control of one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations and its lucrative fentanyl production and distribution networks throughout North America.

Historical Significance and U.S. Connections

Figueroa was a key participant in a notorious 2019 incident in Culiacan, where cartel forces overwhelmed Mexican authorities in a successful effort to free Ovidio Guzman, son of “El Chapo.” The Mexican government initially released Ovidio to prevent further bloodshed after cartel gunmen effectively took control of the city. However, Ovidio was recaptured in January 2023 and subsequently extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.

Reports indicate that following Ovidio Guzman’s arrest, a deal between his representatives and the Trump administration allowed 17 family members of cartel leaders to enter the United States. This group allegedly included El Chapo’s ex-wife and daughter, highlighting the complex relationships between cartel leadership, their families, and international politics. The arrangement demonstrates the multifaceted nature of U.S.-Mexico cooperation and negotiation in addressing the ongoing drug trafficking crisis.

Implications for Regional Security

Security experts are closely monitoring potential fallout from Figueroa’s death, as leadership removals often trigger increased violence while factions reposition for power. The elimination of such a high-ranking figure could potentially disrupt operations temporarily but may also intensify the ongoing internal conflict as remaining leaders vie to fill the power vacuum. Mexican military forces continue their operations against cartel leadership despite the risks of retaliation against government forces and civilians.

The killing represents both a tactical victory for Mexican authorities and a reminder of the persistent challenges in combating the deeply entrenched drug trafficking organizations that continue to operate throughout Mexico. While removing key leadership figures can disrupt cartel operations temporarily, the historical pattern suggests that new leaders typically emerge quickly, and violence often increases during transitional periods as power structures realign.