The Death of Arturo Beltran-Leyva

On December 16, 2009 an elite unit of Mexican marines, fortified with intelligence from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), killed Arturo Beltrán Leyva, the so called “chief of chiefs” (“jefe de los jefes”) of the Betran-Leyva Cartel. His death has created a power-vaccum in the Mexican Drug World.

With Arturo dead and most of the Betran-Leyva brothers in jail, the fate of the family-run Cartel hangs in the balance. To make things worse, there has been serious infighting within the ranks; a feud has developed between “La Barbie” and “El Grande”.

On one hand you have, Arturo’s top executioner and personal bodyguard, Texas-born Édgar Váldez Vallarreal, otherwise known as “La Barbie” because of his blue eyes and blonde hair. On the other end of the feud is Sergio “El Grande” Villarreal Barragán, a tall, venal ex-policeman in Coahuila state, left the Gulf Cartel to join the Beltrán Leyvas. Can Hector, the only Betran-Leyva brother not in prison, heal the infighting and stabilize the Cartel before it implodes?

On the outside, the BL Cartel is beset by even graver dangers.

First there is the Sinaloa Cartel run by Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. The BL Cartel was initially allied with the Sinaloa Cartel, but when Alfredo Betran-Leyva was arrested, the Beltrán Leyva brothers blamed their boss "El Chapo" for their brother's arrest, and ordered the assassination of Guzmán's son, 22 year-old Édgar Guzmán López, which was carried out in a shopping center parking lot by at least 15 gunmen using assault rifles and grenade launchers. Will “El Chapo” claim revenge and clean house?

Once the BL Cartel split from the Sinaloa Cartel, they aligned themselves with Los Zetas, a mercenary group founded by former Mexican Army soldiers and is now formed by ex-federal, state, and local police officers. Los Zetas are now led by Heriberto "El Lazca" Lazcano and are considered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as probably being the most technologically advanced, sophisticated and violent paramilitary enforcement group in Mexico. When Arturo was killed, the Los Zetas executed the family, including the mother, of a Marine who died in the violent foray against Arturo. These guys are ruthless. Will Los Zetas prey on their weakened ally and seize the territory?

It is an interesting time in the Mexican drugworld. Checkout the article below for some background about the Cartel, a list of key figures, a list of assets, and insights into what might happen next:

The Death of Arturo Beltran-Leyva: What does it mean for Mexico's Drug War? (Eurasiareview)

Developing: Los Zetas and former ally Gulf Cartel at War (LatinHeraldTribune)

Developing: "La Barbie" battles Hector Beltran Leyva for control of the Cartel (AP)

Developing: Mexican Drug Gang Members Decapitated, Note Addressed to 'La Barbie' (KC)

Developing: Key Member of Betran-Leyva Cartel Arrested (AP)

Developing: The Battle Between Hector Beltran Leyva and "La Barbie" Heats Up (AP)