The Truth Behind Mexico’s Most Infamous Cartel

In the early days, the group didn’t call itself the Sinaloa Cartel. Its members used the name La Federación, or “The Federation.” The idea was to unite smaller traffickers who agreed to share routes, resources, and profits instead of fighting over territory.

This cooperative approach made them stronger and more organized than most rivals. It let them avoid many early wars that weakened other cartels. The “Federation” structure also helped the group survive leadership changes — setting up the flexible, network-style system that still defines Sinaloa’s power today.