Overview

• In a Brooklyn federal hearing, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada pleaded guilty, admitted paying bribes in Mexico over decades, and was served a $15 billion forfeiture order that prosecutors say reflects illicit profits.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico will ask Washington to repatriate any funds or assets seized from Zambada for victim relief through the Instituto para Devolverle al Pueblo lo Robado.
• Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed an active Mexican arrest warrant for Zambada and ongoing investigations by the Fiscalía General de la República into him and associates.
• Federal authorities stated there is no confirmed evidence to date implicating current federal or military personnel, noting prior detentions have largely involved local and state officials.
• García Harfuch said the Sinaloa Cartel has been weakened by leadership losses but remains operational with multiple cells and leaders who have yet to be detained.