With the deaths of El Culichi and El Gitano, the old era of cartels crumbled. What had once been a fragmented, chaotic underworld was now ripe for consolidation. As the dust of battle settled and the bloodshed ceased, those who survived knew it was time for change. The old ways of rivalry and infighting were no longer viable. A new era was dawning—one that would be defined by unity and shared power.
It didn't take long for the remaining cartels to realize that they would be stronger together than apart. The Federation was born. A coalition of the biggest and most powerful cartels, each with their own distinct territory and interests, but now bound by a common goal: dominance over the drug trade in Mexico and beyond.
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The Tijuana Cartel was the first to make its move, led by the notorious Arellano Félix brothers—Benjamín, Ramon, and Enrique. Fierce, strategic, and unyielding, the Arellanos were known for their ruthless tactics and no-nonsense approach to business. Under their leadership, the Tijuana Cartel had grown from a small-time operation to one of the most powerful players in the game.
The brothers understood that in order to maintain their grip on power, they needed to form alliances, not just with rival cartels, but with those in positions of political and economic power. Benjamín Arellano Félix was the mastermind, a figure both feared and respected for his ability to outmaneuver enemies. But it was Ramon, the violent enforcer, who truly made the Arellanos' name feared. Together, they would solidify their control of the Tijuana corridor and ensure that nothing—not even the rising Federation—could stop them.
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To the east, in Ciudad Juárez, a new, charismatic leader had emerged: Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as El Señor de los Cielos. Amado had taken the reins of the Juárez Cartel after the death of his predecessor and had quickly transformed the cartel into one of the most technologically sophisticated and organized criminal enterprises in Mexico.
Amado's strength lay in his ability to remain under the radar while expanding the cartel's reach. He was a calculating man, always three steps ahead of his rivals. His expertise in managing air operations, particularly in smuggling drugs into the United States, made him an invaluable ally to the Federation. Under Amado's leadership, the Juárez Cartel had become a juggernaut, controlling major drug trafficking routes and having a near-monopoly on cocaine trade across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Amado was no stranger to violence, but it was his careful, strategic thinking that set him apart from his peers. He knew that in order for the Federation to succeed, it needed structure, efficiency, and coordination—things he was more than capable of providing.
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Lastly, the Guadalajara Cartel, which had once been led by the now-dead El Gitano and El Culichi, was reformed under the leadership of a new triad of men: Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo. These three men represented the old guard, the men who had managed to survive the bloodbath and power shifts that had taken down the previous leaders. They had tasted power before, and they were determined to reclaim it.
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, also known as El Padrino (the godfather), was a shrewd operator and one of the original architects of the Federation. He had once been the leader of the Guadalajara Cartel and had built an empire based on his intricate understanding of the drug trade, politics, and power. But after his arrest and the death of his associates, he was forced into the shadows. Despite his time in prison, he had maintained his influence, and with the rise of the Federation, he would reclaim his position at the helm.
Rafael Caro Quintero, known for his ruthlessness, had a long history with the Mexican drug trade. He had worked alongside some of the most powerful figures in the business and had a reputation for eliminating anyone who stood in his way. After years of being on the run, Caro Quintero had returned to the fold, seeking revenge and power in equal measure.
And then there was Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, better known as Don Neto, who had been a pivotal figure in the formation of the Federation. Fonseca's connections to the government and military were invaluable to the cartel, and his ability to broker deals and navigate complex relationships with corrupt officials had solidified his position within the new power structure. His betrayal of Pedro Avilés Pérez had secured his place at the table, but now Fonseca was faced with the challenge of keeping control of a cartel that was quickly spiraling out of his grasp.
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Together, the Arellano Félix brothers, Amado Carrillo Fuentes, and the trio of Gallardo, Caro Quintero, and Fonseca would form the backbone of the Federation. Their combined resources, networks, and strategic minds made them an unstoppable force, capable of dictating the flow of narcotics across the entire country and into the United States.
The Federation wasn't just a cartel—it was a criminal empire, a new world order in the underworld. The old rivalries had been buried, replaced by a shared hunger for power, wealth, and control. They had seen the fall of their predecessors and learned from their mistakes. The Federation would not be undone by betrayal, corruption, or infighting.
But as the men met to finalize their alliance, a shadow loomed over them—a reminder that the road to power is never without peril, and not all alliances would remain as solid as they seemed.