Mexican Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch said on 27 August that the Sinaloa Cartel continues to operate through multiple autonomous branches, even after its longtime co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada admitted guilt in a U.S. court. Speaking at the government’s daily news conference, García Harfuch stressed that the organisation has never had a single commander and therefore cannot be considered dismantled. Zambada, 77, last week pleaded guilty to two narcotics-trafficking charges before U.S. Judge Brian Cogan, accepting responsibility for five decades of criminal activity. He faces two mandatory life sentences and a forfeiture request of up to US$15 billion. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, another key founder, is already serving a life sentence in Colorado’s ADX Florence prison. According to García Harfuch, leadership of the cartel now rests with several figures, including Guzmán’s sons—known collectively as Los Chapitos—Aureliano “El Guano” Guzmán and Fausto “Chapo” Isidro. While recent operations and internal rivalries have weakened some factions, the secretary said “important cells and leaders” remain active and are priority targets for federal forces. He ruled out any confirmed alliance between the Sinaloa group and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel but noted increased security deployments in Sinaloa, including additional army and navy units and 100 patrol vehicles, to maintain pressure on the organisation.