Part 7/11:
The removal of leadership doesn’t eliminate the organization; it often intensifies violence. Fragmented organizations fight turf wars over territories and resources, leading to civilian casualties and destabilization. The ongoing chaos in Sinaloa following recent high-profile arrests exemplifies how power vacuums perpetuate cycles of violence with no clear end in sight.
5. The Hydra Effect: Growth of the Cartel Again and Again
Targeting key figures tends to generate the “hydra effect,” where cutting off one head causes multiple new ones to emerge. Authorities often believe they’ve dealt a blow, but in reality, the organization adapts and reorganizes, sometimes more ruthlessly than before. This adaptability makes the strategy inherently cyclical and ineffective.