Part 2/11:
The practice of targeting cartel leaders began with high-profile operations like the capture of Pablo Escobar in 1993 and the Mexican government's pursuit of major drug lords during Felipe Calderón’s presidency in 2006. The core assumption behind this approach is simple: cartels imitate hierarchical organizations resembling a pyramid, with the kingpin at the top. Removing this head is believed to cause the entire organization to collapse or at least weaken significantly.