On February 3, 2025, Mexico deployed 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border as part of “Operation Northern Border,” a joint security initiative with the United States. The operation aims to combat drug trafficking, specifically fentanyl, and disrupt cartel activities in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.
This move follows an agreement between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump, reflecting heightened security cooperation between the two nations.
Which Cartels Operate Along Mexico’s Northern Border?
According to Mexico’s Federal Security Cabinet, at least five major cartels control different parts of the border:
- Sinaloa Cartel (CDS)
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
- Northeast Cartel (CDN)
- Gulf Cartel (CDG)
- Arellano Félix Cartel (CAF)
Each border state presents unique challenges, as these cartels fight for dominance, engage in trafficking, and fuel rising violence.
Baja California: A Fentanyl Hotspot
Key cities: Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate
Baja California is a key fentanyl trafficking corridor for cartels smuggling drugs into the U.S.. Tijuana, Mexicali, and Tecate have become battlegrounds for:
- The Sinaloa Cartel, led by “El Mayo” Zambada and Los Chapitos
- The Arellano Félix Cartel (CAF)
- The CJNG, expanding influence since 2015
According to U.S. authorities, Alfonso “El Aquiles” Arzate and René «La Rana» Arzate oversee drug operations in Tijuana for the Sinaloa Cartel.
A 2024 report from Elementa DDHH found that 99% of opioids tested in Tijuana and Mexicali contained fentanyl, highlighting the urgency of intervention.
Sonora: A Fragmented Cartel Warzone
Key cities: Caborca, San Luis Río Colorado, Nogales
Sonora has become one of Mexico’s most volatile cartel battlegrounds, featuring:
- Sinaloa Cartel factions (Los Chapitos vs. Los Rusos of “El Mayo” Zambada)
- Nuevo Cartel Independiente de Sonora (NCIS), breaking away from Los Chapitos
- CJNG’s entry into the state to challenge Sinaloa dominance
Recently, new cartel groups have emerged:
- Los Mata Salas (aligned with Los Chapitos)
- Nuevo Cartel de Juárez (NCDJ)
Security experts warn that Sonora’s instability could worsen, with potential alliances between the CJNG and NCIS to counter Los Chapitos.
Chihuahua: A Battlefield Between Sinaloa and Juárez Cartels
Key cities: Ciudad Juárez, Ojinaga, Puerto Palomas
Chihuahua’s border with Texas makes it a prime trafficking route, contested by:
- The Juárez Cartel (La Línea)
- Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Salgueiro faction
From September 8-20, 2024, violence erupted in Ojinaga, leaving 26 people dead due to:
- Internal conflicts within La Línea
- Sinaloa Cartel attacks on Juárez Cartel strongholds
Other criminal groups like Los Mexicles, Los Aztecas, and Artistas Asesinos add to the region’s complexity.
Coahuila: A Key Smuggling Route to Texas
Key cities: Piedras Negras, Ciudad Acuña, Torreón
Coahuila’s proximity to Texas makes it a strategic point for drug smuggling and human trafficking.
- The Sinaloa Cartel has expanded into Coahuila from Chihuahua and Zacatecas.
- The CJNG and Northeast Cartel (CDN) operate from Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Clashes between these groups have led to frequent shootouts and kidnappings in the region.
Nuevo León: A Target for the Northeast Cartel (CDN)
Key cities: Monterrey, Apodaca, Linares
Nuevo León, home to Monterrey, Mexico’s industrial hub, has seen an increase in cartel activity:
- CDN’s armed wing, Los Chukys, is actively expanding.
- CDN and CJNG are reportedly cooperating in certain areas.
Authorities recently arrested Ricardo “El Ricky” G., leader of Los Chukys, accused of:
- Ordering the assassination of six police officers in Nuevo León.
- Coordinating extortion, kidnappings, and cartel attacks.
Tamaulipas: The Divided Gulf Cartel
Key cities: Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo
Tamaulipas remains a stronghold of the Gulf Cartel (CDG), though it is fractured into rival factions:
- Los Metros (Reynosa-based, allied with CJNG)
- Los Escorpiones/Ciclones (Matamoros-based, led by “El Borrado”)
- Northeast Cartel (CDN) competing for Nuevo Laredo
Reports suggest Los Metros recently partnered with CJNG to challenge CDG dominance in Matamoros and Reynosa.
To counter cartel violence, 743 National Guard troops will focus on high-conflict areas, including Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Playa Bagdad.
What Comes Next? The Future of ‘Operation Northern Border’
The deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops is Mexico’s most significant move yet to disrupt cartel operations at the U.S. border. However, security experts warn that:
- Cartels may adapt and escalate violence in response.
- Corruption within security forces remains a major obstacle.
- Stronger U.S.-Mexico collaboration is needed for long-term success.As fentanyl trafficking and cartel violence remain urgent issues, all eyes will be on how effectively this military operation curtails criminal influence.
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