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However, Guzmán’s rise was laced with brutal violence, underscored by wars with rival cartels and the ruthless tactics he employed against those who crossed him. The gruesome battles not only besmirched the streets of Mexico but led to increasing state crackdowns. Guzmán had formed a tight grip on his empire by making enemies when the Tijuana Cartel targeted him, leading to a bloody turf war that evoked a vicious cycle of violence.
The assassination of the prominent drug lord would signal a shift in the Mexican government's approaches to mob violence, resulting in a controversial war on drugs led by then-President Felipe Calderón. The intent was to apprehend mavericks like Guzmán, but the targeted violence often resulted in more fatalities and despair on the streets.