According to authorities, at least 17 drug trafficking cartels are present throughout Mexico. These include the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Los Zetas, the Tepito Union, the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, and the New Michoacan Family, to name a few. The Ministry of the Interior, through the "Strategic Mechanism for the Recruitment and Use of Minors" has identified more than 50 criminal organizations in the country.
These organizations are dedicated to recruiting minors and young people through social networks, to then use them in activities such as drug dealing, "halconeo" (lookouts), and contract killings. The list of cartels recognized by authorities includes names such as Los Zetas, Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Los Viagras, Los Metros, The Tepito Union, among others.
Regarding the criminal organizations operating in different Mexican states, there are La Barredora, Los Cuinis, Los Metros, Comando, Zicuirán Cartel, Güero Fresa, Los Cabrera, Los Piña, ACME, El Aquiles, Anti Tepito Union Force, Los Guerreros, La Mancha, among others.
It is known that in municipalities like Tecate, Ensenada, Tijuana, and Mexicali in Baja California, the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and the Arellano Félix Cartel operate. In Manzanillo, Colima, the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and La Familia Michoacana are present. In Mexico City, the Tepito Union has a presence in Iztapalapa, Venustiano Carranza, and Gustavo A Madero, along with other cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Caballeros Templarios. Finally, in municipalities of the State of Mexico such as Ecatepec, Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, Nezahualcóyotl, and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Los Viagra and Los Rojos operate.
