TCO 101: The Juarez Cartel

The Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Organization, also known as the Juárez cartel or VCFO, is active in one of the primary transportation routes for billions of dollars worth of illegal drug shipments annually entering the US from Mexico. The cartel was founded by Amado Carrillo Fuentes, Vicente’s brother, in 1993 under the tutelage of his uncle. Amado brought his brothers and later his son into the business. After Amado died following complications from plastic surgery, a brief turf war erupted over leadership of the cartel. Vicente emerged as the victor, and formed a partnership with his brother, nephew, and a few others—most notably the Beltrán Leyva brothers.

The VCFO cartel was in a flux throughout most of the 1990s, as Amado’s death formed a power vacuum and the Arellano Félix Organization wielded most of the regional power at the time. In 2001 after Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera escaped prison, many VCFO members defected to Guzmán Sinaloa Federation. In 2004, Vicente’s brother was killed allegedly by Guzmán’s order. Vicente responded by assassinating Guzmán’s brother in prison. This ignited a turf war between the two cartels, which was more or less put on hold from 2005-2006 because of the Sinaloa Federation’s war with the Gulf cartel. Mexican government efforts to neutralize the Gulf cartel were somewhat successful, allowing the Sinaloa leadership to once again focus on a re-energized VCFO. The feud between the Federation and the VCFO in Ciudad Juárez has been largely responsible for the unprecedented violence in what has been labeled the “murder capital” of the Americas.

The VCFO has been weakened considerably, however, in the past few years due to aggressive actions by both their rival and Mexican government forces. While the Federation dominates the corridor between Juárez and El Paso, Texas, the VCFO still has an operational presence in the city, controlling the deadly La Linea enforcer group made up of police officers recruited from Chihuahua state. The VCFO has also formed alliances with other TCOs and splintered into smaller criminal groups, such as the New Juárez Cartel. Despite the organization’s persistence in surviving, it will likely not regain its former status as the most powerful TCO in Mexico.

(Chart below by Strategic Forecasting)

 

Comments

[sam]

"Negotiate" they are in a full out war with Chapo for the Plaza in Juarez, and the Juarez Valley.

[Tommy Boy]

Hey, what about the Bank of America laundering the billions of dollars in the drug trade? That
is kind of importante, no? Si!

[Henry A. Stone]

Interesting article. The Juarez Cartel or La Linea have another paramilitary group named "Los Linces." Or The Lynxes. The drug war in Juarez has left over 3000 dead people in 2 years. That is not including the ones buried out in the middle of nowhere. According to el Chapo Guzman and another guy who calls himself "El Quitapuercos" or the "Pig Exterminator" was going to take over the Juarez Plaza real easily. It has been over 2 years and no sign of Chapo Guzman able to take over the Carrillo Fuente's turf. According to the rumors, Chapo Guzman is the one who controls the Mexican Army. It is nothing new if it were to be true since when Amado Carrillo, better known as The Lord of the Skies paid off General Rebollo a handsome sum of money to keep the military on his side. Since the arrival of 2000 new Federal Police in Juarez, the killings have lowered from a daily average of 10 to around 4 per day. Only time will tell what will happen. The Mexican people are not content with what Felipe Calderon is doing. Corruption still exists in Mexico, especially in Juarez, since it is considered the world's most dangerous city. Ironically, it is neighbor's with the 2nd safest city of all United States of America, El Paso Texas.

[Jose Navarrette]

Very true about juarez cartel not being the same from 10 years ago. i am against drugs and users but i also understand its a business and a big ONE mexico's #1 income. if things could just be like they were when Amado carrillo was at power no war and it was still save to go out at 9 10 pm and yes their were muders just like around the world but not like todays #'s I just hope this all ends soon for the sake of the people. (war is bad for business)

[Schola Ndugo]

It is actually sad that the issue of drugs continues to reach such leveles. Whichever side of the coin you are on, the impact of drug trafficking is fatal. It is also a shame that such cartels or groups are so organized yet a country has a government in place.Which makes me wonder what role the government plays in drug trafficking!

[april]

Its a really shame everything that's happening in juarez right now! And I totally agree when amado carillo fuentes, meaning the juarez cartel were in power of juarez there weren't so many killings. I mean I know drugs are bad but god its gotten so out of control if things were like before there wouldn't be all this killings. Why doesn't the sinaloa cartel mind their own business and stay away from juarez. I'm definately against the whole cartels but the sinaloa cartel has to backoff.I just wished the juarez cartel was as strong as before and just kick sinaloas cartel out of there.

[Enrique vargas]

What makes the cartel del golfo (gulf cartel) and the familia michoacana think that chapo guzman won't betray them like he did to the beltran leyva organization.

[Enrique vargas]

The mexican government is behind the killings in mexico, especially in juarez. I use to b a drug dealer and enforcer. I believe that the mexican government which includes Felipe Calderon have a financial interest in the war in Ciudad Juarez and that Chapo Guzman wins that war. It is obvious that Calderon is protecting Chapo Guzman. Guzman is the most sought after drug trafficker in the western hemisphere for more than 5 years and he can't be brought to justice. All the top capos from cartels feuding with the Sinaloa Cartel have fallen in recent years. I beleive that Nacho Coronel was just a pawn in the chess game that Chapo Guzman and Felipe Calderon are playing. I think Felipe Calderon sent word to Chapo, that he needed a scape goat from the sinaloa cartel, so that he could get the media and the peolpe of Mexico off his back about protecting Chapo Guzman. I think Chapo Guzman gave up Nacho Coronel. And I know its far-fetched idea but remember that he gave up Alfredo Beltran Leyva. And I think Chapo Guzman has had a hand in all the captures of the capos, and yes I mean Osiel Cardenas. Remember that the Gulf Cartel was once a rival of the Sinaloa Cartel. Right now the Sinaloa Cartel is trying to monopolize the drug trade by inciting a war with the Juarez Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, Beltran Leyva Organization, and the Zetas and with the protection of the Mexican Government and the Mexican soldiers he will probably win.

[Need Info]

Enrique Vargas,

we need to talk can u send me an email?

-Need info...

[Trap Gangster]

I support the cartels becuz they do help and give money to the poor and i seen the proof.