What we know about Mexican drug cartel leaders still at large

While Mexico’s government hails the killing of drug kingpin El Mencho, other powerful cartel leaders continue to evade capture.Published On 23 Feb 2026Mexico’s most influential cartel boss, who was among the most sought-after fugitives in the United States, has been killed, according to the Mexican Secretariat of National Defence.Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of Mexico’s Jalisco-new-generation-cartel" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="15215" data-entity-type="organization">Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as “El Mencho”, was killed on Sunday during an operation to arrest him in the western state of Jalisco.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Mexico sends 37 more drug cartel suspects to US amid Trump attack threatslist 2 of 3US reopens airspace over El Paso after claim of cartel drone infiltrationlist 3 of 3US military says it attacked vessel in Pacific Ocean, killing three peopleend of listMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the country’s security forces for the operation while appealing for calm.In the aftermath of Oseguera’s death, armed cartel members launched attacks across the country with gunmen blocking highways and torching cars.Here is a brief list of Mexican cartel leaders who remain at large:Ismael Zambada Sicairos (‘El Mayito Flaco’)Zambada Sicairos is a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel’s La Mayiza faction and son of longtime trafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.Since his father’s arrest in 2024, Zambada Sicairos has emerged as one of the cartel’s key figures in controlling drug distribution and narcotics networks that supply the US.Zambada Sicairos has at least three brothers who are also involved in the drug trade, according to Spanish media.El Pais newspaper reported all of the brothers are known for keeping a low profile and they rose through the ranks after starting out as small-time drug peddlers, moving up based on “merit”.Ismael Zambada Sicairos, also known as ‘El Mayito Flaco’ [Handout/US Drug Enforcement Administration]Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar (‘El Chapito’)A senior leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Guzman Salazar is the son of one of the world’s most well-known cartel leaders, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. He has risen to colead the cartel alongside other family members since his father’s arrest in 2016.