The dramatic arrest of the head of the Mexican drug cartel, Sinaloa, which counts for 30% of drugs illegally entering the US can give false hope.  “El Chapo’ Guzman was the country’s leading drug dealer, but for years both the DEA in the US and the Mexican government gave him a pass in return for information.  What are the consequences of these deals in terms of the long term control of drug cartels?  Can control be achieved with information gleaned from sources other than the drug cartels themselves?  It is difficult to say.  But perhaps ending the privileged relationship with Guzman’s organization is a good first step.  Unfortunately a cell phone call did Guzman in.  Let’s hope this does not give the NSA a boost.

by Fernando Llera