Map of Drug Cartels in Mexico 2024

The map above was created by Bismarck Brief based off data original research and reporting by CrashOut by Ioan Grillo.

I’d strongly urge you to read the latter’s article to better understand what the map above really means.

But in summary:

The map highlights the territorial control and influence of various drug cartels across the country, as well as key border crossings into the United States.

The map is color-coded to show the regions controlled or influenced by different cartels and other local groups, as well as areas of disputed territory and low cartel activity.

Here’s a breakdown of the cartels and their respective areas of control:

Sinaloa Cartel (Red): Predominantly controls areas in the northwest, including Sonora, Sinaloa, and parts of Baja California.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Turquoise): Has significant influence in Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán, extending into parts of Guanajuato and Guerrero.
Gulf Cartel (Green): Operates mainly in the northeastern states such as Tamaulipas and parts of Nuevo León.
Northeast Cartel (Orange): Found in parts of Coahuila and Nuevo León.
La Familia (Brown): Controls areas in Michoacán and some parts of neighboring states.
Juarez Cartel/La Linea (Yellow): Primarily active in Chihuahua and parts of neighboring states.

Additional elements include:

Local Groups (Various colors): Represent smaller, local criminal organizations operating in various parts of the country.
Disputed Territory (Purple): Areas where control is contested between different cartels or local groups.
Low Cartel Activity (Light shading): Regions with minimal or no significant cartel presence.
Key Border Crossings (Black squares): Important entry points into the United States, including cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and McAllen.

Here’s an overview of the various cartels mentioned in the map and their characteristics:

Sinaloa Cartel

Overview: One of the oldest and most powerful drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, founded in the late 1980s.
Leadership: Historically led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán until his capture. Now believed to be managed by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Guzmán’s sons, known as “Los Chapitos.”
Operations: Known for its vast network for smuggling drugs, especially methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, into the United States and other countries.
Territory: Predominantly controls regions in northwest Mexico, including Sinaloa, Sonora, and parts of Baja California.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)

Overview: A rapidly expanding and highly violent cartel that emerged in the 2010s.
Leadership: Led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”
Operations: Engages in drug trafficking, money laundering, and extreme violence against rival cartels and government forces. Known for producing large quantities of methamphetamine.
Territory: Has a strong presence in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, and is expanding into other regions like Guanajuato and Guerrero.

Gulf Cartel

Overview: One of Mexico’s oldest cartels, originating in the 1930s.
Leadership: Has seen many changes over the years due to captures and internal conflicts. Currently fragmented with various factions.
Operations: Involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities.
Territory: Strongest in Tamaulipas and parts of Nuevo León. Has lost some influence due to internal strife and competition.

Northeast Cartel

Overview: A faction that splintered from the Zetas, a group originally formed by former Mexican special forces.
Leadership: Led by former Zetas members, maintaining a violent reputation.
Operations: Similar to the Zetas, involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and other criminal enterprises.
Territory: Operates in parts of Coahuila and Nuevo León.

La Familia Michoacana

Overview: Initially started as a vigilante group, it evolved into a major criminal organization.
Leadership: Founded by Nazario Moreno González, known as “El Chayo,” and later led by José de Jesús Méndez Vargas, “El Chango.”
Operations: Known for producing methamphetamine and employing pseudo-religious justifications for their actions.
Territory: Mainly active in Michoacán, with some influence in neighboring states.

Juarez Cartel / La Linea

Overview: A long-standing cartel based in Ciudad Juárez, historically powerful but weakened by conflicts with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Leadership: Led by Vicente Carrillo Fuentes until his arrest; current leadership is less clear.
Operations: Involved in drug trafficking, primarily marijuana and cocaine, and known for violent confrontations.
Territory: Stronghold in Chihuahua, especially Ciudad Juárez.

Local Groups

Overview: Smaller criminal organizations that operate independently or as subcontractors for larger cartels.
Operations: Involved in various illegal activities including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and more.
Territory: Scattered across Mexico, often in regions where larger cartels have less control or in disputed territories.

For more on the topic have a look at IOAN GRILLO‘s Mexico’s Cartel Map 2024.