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From the pursuit of "El Mencho" to the "Queen of Cocaine", how is the balance of power in the criminal world in Latin America changing...
In the harsh and deeply male-dominated world of Latin American drug cartels, attention often focuses on male figures, bosses, hitmen and network leaders. However, the reality on the ground shows a more complex picture: women are playing an increasingly important, often decisive, role in the functioning and leadership of these organizations.
A recent example is the Mexican military operation that led to the capture of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers. After years on the run and with a $15 million bounty on his head, authorities were able to close in on him thanks to an unexpected lead: one of his girlfriends. Following her movements, they arrived at an isolated cabin in the mountains of Tapalpa, where the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel was hiding. The operation was followed by a wave of retaliatory violence across the country.
This episode clearly illustrates a broader phenomenon: women are present at every level of the cartel structure, although they often remain out of the public eye. In an environment dominated by macho culture, they have carved out roles that range from partners to bosses to financial managers and architects of criminal operations.
Experts point out that while men continue to dominate violent roles, such as hitmen and cartel soldiers, women are often better suited to managing logistics and finances. They have direct access to supply networks, cash flows and organizational strategies, especially when they are family-related to leaders.
" If you're the wife of a boss, you're likely to be involved in decision-making and operations. If he falls, you could take control of a large part of the business ," says Henry Ziemer, an expert on organized crime.
One of the most emblematic figures of this reality is Griselda Blanco , known as the “Queen of Cocaine”. She built a powerful trafficking network in the US during the 1970s and 1980s, transporting large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to Miami. Associated with the Medellín cartel, she was responsible for dozens of murders and was considered as violent, if not more so, than her male counterparts.
But her influence was not limited to violence. Blanco was a skilled organizer, building complex structures for money laundering and drug distribution. She created transportation networks and used women as “mules” to smuggle drugs across borders, taking advantage of the fact that they aroused less suspicion.
Another example is Antonella Marchant in Chile, who ran a family cartel and managed its finances and logistical operations. Authorities identified her as the organization's key figure, showing that the role of women in organized crime is no longer secondary.
In Mexico, Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia , known as “La Jefa,” represents another model of influence. The wife of “El Mencho,” she is considered one of the financial brains of the Jalisco cartel, managing money laundering networks and connections to other criminal organizations. According to experts, “El Mencho”’s very rise is linked to the family alliances she brought to the cartel.
However, not all women in this world have leadership roles. The figure of the “buchona,” the partner of a cartel boss, remains a widespread stereotype, associated with luxury, cosmetic surgery, and a life on social media. A well-known example is Emma Coronel , the wife of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who built a public profile as a model and influencer, but was later convicted of involvement in her husband’s criminal activities.
However, experts emphasize that this is only part of the story. In many cases, women operate as managers and strategists, treating criminal activity as a business.
" The women who are at the top of these organizations see themselves as leaders. They say, 'I'm the boss, I'm not a butler ,'" says researcher Elaine Carey.
As organized crime in Latin America evolves, the role of women is also transforming. From invisible figures, they are becoming key players in the functioning of cartels, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the balance of power in one of the most dangerous worlds of global crime. / Adapted by "CNN"
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