Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, a former drug cartel leader known for creating the Zetas, a gang of former Mexican special forces soldiers, has been released from a U.S. prison and may be deported back to Mexico. In 2010, Cárdenas Guillén was sentenced to 25 years in prison for various charges, but the reasons for his early release are unclear. Leo Silva, a former DEA agent, credits Cárdenas Guillén for a new era of organized crime in Mexico and a surge in violence over the past two decades.
Cárdenas Guillén’s Zetas were known for committing brutal acts of violence, including massacres, decapitations, and disposing of hacked-up bodies on roadways. He earned the nickname “El Mata Amigos,” meaning “The one who kills his friends,” due to his ruthless tactics. Prior to his arrest in 2003 and subsequent extradition to the U.S., Cárdenas Guillén moved large quantities of cocaine and amassed significant wealth through the Gulf cartel, based in Reynosa and Matamoros.
One of Cárdenas Guillén’s most notorious acts involved confronting and threatening two U.S. DEA agents and an informant in Matamoros in 1999. His gunmen demanded the informant be handed over, likely to torture and kill him. Despite the tense situation, the agents stood their ground and refused, prompting Cárdenas Guillén to eventually call off his gunmen. This incident illustrates the brazen and dangerous nature of his criminal activities.
After being captured and extradited to the U.S., Cárdenas Guillén’s influence waned, leading the Zetas to form their own cartel and continue carrying out terror-style attacks across Mexico. However, key leaders of the Zetas were subsequently killed or arrested in 2012-2013, further weakening the organization. Cárdenas Guillén’s impending return to Mexico, where he faces arrest warrants, raises concerns about potential resurgence of violence and criminal activity in the region.
The release of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén has reignited discussions about the impact of his criminal empire and the lasting effects of his reign of terror. The rise of organized crime in Mexico, characterized by extreme violence and brutality, can be traced back to Cárdenas Guillén’s leadership and the establishment of the Zetas. His notoriety as a ruthless drug lord who instilled fear and chaos in the country served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in combating drug cartels and organized crime syndicates.
As Cárdenas Guillén prepares to be deported back to Mexico, law enforcement officials and authorities are on high alert for potential repercussions of his return. His history of violence, intimidation tactics, and disregard for human life make his presence in Mexico a cause for concern. The legacy of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén serves as a cautionary tale of the destructive power of organized crime and the ongoing struggle to combat drug trafficking and cartel activity in Mexico and beyond.
