Mexican drug lord 'El Mayo' sentenced by US court to life in prison
- Posted on July 20, 2026
- By Le Monde
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- 1 min read
In brief
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the elusive co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, faces life imprisonment following his 2024 extradition and August 2025 guilty plea. The high-profile case marks a significant victory in the US war on drugs, as the legendary trafficker—long considered untouchable—accepted a plea agreement to escape capital punishment. His conviction represents a major blow to one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations.
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Mexican drug lord 'El Mayo' sentenced by US court to life in prison
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, co-founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which the US has dubbed a 'terrorist' group, was arrested in the US in 2024 and, in August 2025, pleaded guilty to several charges under a deal to avoid the death penalty.
