The publication
Los Mayos (La Mayiza) 2026: El Mayo’s Faction, Leaders, War With the Chapitos
What official records and reporting say about the Los Mayos (La Mayiza): who leads it, where it is reported to operate, and how the U.S. has targeted it. Territory and leadership change fast, so each item links to its source and shows dates as reported. Allegations are as stated by the source; people who are charged are presumed innocent until convicted.
At a glance
- Leadership: Juan Jose Ponce Felix, known as 'El Ruso,' leads La Mayiza's primary armed wing. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- U.S. status: La Mayiza was sanctioned on September 18, 2025, and a reward of up to $5 million was offered for 'El Ruso' on September 16, 2025. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- Origins: Mayito Flaco historically operated from southern Culiacan. [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
- On this page: 18 facts from 3 sources, newest dated 2026-09-03.
How to read this page
- What it is: a compilation of what official records, research groups and news reports say about the Los Mayos (La Mayiza). Facts by source: 12 from U.S. government, 6 from research groups. Leads are shown for context and should not be read as confirmed.
- What it doesn’t tell you: who controls a specific town or neighborhood today, or anything about specific people beyond what officials have stated. Presence is reported state-wide; leadership changes after arrests or deaths may lag.
- Allegations: people named here are accused, sanctioned or charged as the source states; anyone not convicted is presumed innocent.
Names and aliases
- La Mayiza is also known as Los Mayos. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- 'El Ruso' also used the name 'Jesus Alexandro Sanchez Felix.' [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
Origins
- Mayito Flaco historically operated from southern Culiacan. [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
Leadership
- Juan Jose Ponce Felix, known as 'El Ruso,' leads La Mayiza's primary armed wing. (as of 2026-09-30) [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada Garcia co-founded and long led the Mayos wing before his July 2024 arrest and July 2026 life sentence. (as of 2026-09-30) [U.S. Department of Justice, 2026-07-20 · official record]
Factions and splits
- The Rusos are La Mayiza's primary armed wing, led by 'El Ruso.' (as of 2026-09-30) [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- On September 18, 2025, the United States sanctioned La Mayiza as a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. (as of 2026-09-30) [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
Allies and rivals
- Reported allies of Mayiza include the Cabreras, Chapo Isidro/Guasave Cartel, the Rugrats, Rusos, Antrax, Flechas MZ, Sombreiza, and Cazadores. (as of 2026-09-30) [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
- The Chapitos are the Mayiza's main internal rival, while CJNG is described as a Mayiza adversary backing the Chapitos. (as of 2026-09-30) [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
What it does
- La Mayiza manages the production and trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine from northwest Mexico into the United States. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
- Mayito Flaco is accused of cocaine, methamphetamine, precursor-chemical, and fentanyl trafficking activity; he remains presumed innocent of pending charges. [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
- Zambada Garcia admitted trafficking approximately 1.5 million kilograms of cocaine since 1980. [U.S. Department of Justice (E.D.N.Y.), 2026-07-20 · official record]
U.S. designations, sanctions and charges
- La Mayiza was sanctioned on September 18, 2025, and a reward of up to $5 million was offered for 'El Ruso' on September 16, 2025. [U.S. Department of State, 2025-09-18 · official record]
Key events
- An August 30, 2026 car bombing in Zacatecas reportedly highlighted the CJNG-Mayiza rivalry. [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
- Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada Garcia pleaded guilty on August 25, 2025 in federal court in Brooklyn (Eastern District of New York). [U.S. Department of Justice (E.D.N.Y.), 2026-07-20 · official record]
- On July 20, 2026, Judge Cogan sentenced Zambada Garcia to life in prison without parole, with $15 billion in forfeiture. [U.S. Department of Justice (E.D.N.Y.), 2026-07-20 · official record]
- The plea deal included an agreement that U.S. prosecutors would not seek the death penalty against Zambada Garcia. [U.S. Department of Justice (E.D.N.Y.), 2026-07-20 · official record]
Where it operates in Mexico
- Mayiza influence extends across the Golden Triangle and into Zacatecas, Sonora, Baja California, and Colima. (as of 2026-09-30) [InSight Crime, 2026-09-03 · news/research]
Los Mayos (La Mayiza) in the United States
States with specific evidence: New Mexico.
Cartels in the U.S.: map and state-by-state evidence →
Latest Los Mayos (La Mayiza) coverage
- Who Is ‘El Mayito Flaco’? Anaheim-Born Ismael Zambada Sicairos, the Son of ‘El Mayo’ the U.S. Now Calls the ‘Undisputed Head’ of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Mayos Sep 30, 2026
- Xolo Gas Sanctioned: U.S. Targets a Former Business Partner of Tijuana Xolos Owner Jorge Hank Inzunza — Twin Sons of Hank Rhon’s Late Security Chief Sep 30, 2026
- Treasury Says ‘Gordo Flubber’ Ordered a 2023 Tijuana Killing: Inside the Sinaloa Cartel Cell of $5 Million Fugitives ‘La Rana’ and ‘Aquiles,’ Across From San Diego Sep 29, 2026
- ‘I Deny Any Relationship With Any Criminal Group’: Carlos Torres Says His Only Sanctioned Business Is a Tijuana Organic Market — as Gov. Marina del Pilar Says She Is Legally Divorced From Him Sep 29, 2026
- Mexico Blacklists Them Too: All 46 U.S.-Sanctioned ‘Mayito Flaco’ Targets — Including Baja Gov. Marina del Pilar’s Ex-Husband Carlos Torres — Added to Mexico’s Blocked-Persons List Sep 29, 2026
- Anaheim-Born ‘Mayito Flaco’ Among 21 Sanctioned: Treasury Says Los Mayos Hired Hitmen in Southern California and Bought Protection in Tijuana and Mexicali — Reaching the Baja Governor’s Ex-Husband Sep 29, 2026
- ‘Angustiadísimo’: El Chapo Offered to Give Up Sinaloa Cartel Secrets to Save Sons Kidnapped by El Mencho’s CJNG in Puerto Vallarta, Ex-Security Chief Says Sep 28, 2026
- “They Were Tired and Old”: ‘La Chapodiputada’ Lucero Sánchez Says El Chapo and El Mayo Planned to Retire Together — and Didn’t Want Their Sons to Take Over Sep 26, 2026
Read every Narco Blog story about the Los Mayos (La Mayiza) →
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. Territory, leadership and advisories change; tell us about errors via our corrections page.