How Uncle Sam Joined Hands with Mexico Against 'El Ratón'

In a revelatory public statement, the U.S. Government has confirmed its role in the controversial 2019 arrest of Ovidio Guzmán López, commonly known as “El Ratón.” Orchestrated through the Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the operation in question has broad implications for both U.S.-Mexico relations and the ongoing war on drugs. This article delves into the intricate dynamics of this operation and its fallout, offering a nuanced analysis of its impact on regional stability and international drug trafficking.

The Culiacán Operation

Known as Operation Paisano, the endeavor that led to López’s initial capture was a joint venture between U.S. Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Mexican Army. According to Patrick J. Lechleitner, the acting director of ICE, this was the U.S. Government's first public acknowledgment of their involvement, something that had previously been undisclosed by Mexican authorities.

While reports had surfaced in January 2023 alleging U.S. participation, this latest confirmation cements the United States' active role in this high-stakes operation, highlighting the collaborative nature of international counter-narcotics efforts.

López’s arrest ignited what has been dramatically termed the 'Battle of Culiacán' or 'El Culiacanazo,' an armed conflict between the Sinaloa Cartel and Mexican authorities. At least 12 deaths were reported in a clash that forced the Mexican government's hand into releasing López, as his brothers and cartel gunmen mounted a fierce offensive against the Mexican Army.

The episode not only exposed vulnerabilities in Mexican security forces but also elevated the “Los Chapitos” network, led by López and his half-brothers, to a high-level cartel capable of disrupting state operations and influencing criminal activity across borders.

Obrador’s Dilemma

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was left with no choice but to release Ovidio Guzmán López, a decision he publicly acknowledged in June 2020. The move was criticized for emboldening the cartel and destabilizing the Sinaloa region. It also intensified the cartel's clout among younger drug traffickers and organized crime syndicates. López was later arrested again in January 2023 and remains in custody.

Further complicating matters is the looming U.S. extradition request for Guzmán López, initially communicated in September 2019 and renewed this February. The charges are substantial: Guzmán López and his half-brothers are accused of selling 80 kilos of fentanyl monthly in the Los Angeles area between 2017 and 2022, amounting to a street value of around $2.4 million per month.

The operation spans multiple states, as they are also accused of utilizing transportation companies to distribute the deadly opioid to Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts. Testimonies from former associates, including key operators of the Sinaloa Cartel, further substantiate these claims.

Complex Challenges

The intricacies of the U.S. involvement in the arrest and the subsequent fallout elucidate the multidimensional challenges faced in the war on drugs and maintaining regional stability. While the capture of high-profile figures like “El Ratón” can momentarily disrupt drug trafficking networks, it also risks inflaming existing tensions and emboldening criminal organizations.

With both governments having vested interests in quelling drug-related criminal activities, the revelations surrounding Operation Paisano point to an increasingly complex landscape. The task of combating drug cartels while ensuring regional stability is a joint responsibility that will require unprecedented levels of cooperation and strategic foresight from both the U.S. and Mexican governments.

What remains clear is that this is not just a fight against individual cartels, but a broader struggle to bring order to a region marred by criminal enterprises capable of challenging state authorities. This is a war on multiple fronts — a war that neither country can afford to lose.