El Chapo, Mexican drug lord, built a billion-dollar cartel empire; here is his rise, Forbes listing, and El Mencho link.
Check who El Chapo is, how he built his massive drug empire, appeared on Forbes, and his connection with El Mencho.
Joaquín Guzmán, widely known as El Chapo, was one of the most notorious figures in the global drug trade. He led the Sinaloa Cartel, which became one of the most powerful narcotics empires in the world, and at his peak was estimated to be among the wealthiest people globally. His life story spans from humble beginnings to becoming a feared criminal kingpin with international clout.
El Chapo was born in a poor rural area of Mexico and began his narco career in the 1970s through his work as a drug grower, which eventually led him to climb the ranks of a drug cartel. He built the initial drug trafficking networks, which enabled him to start his Sinaloa Cartel operations through his early work in logistics for existing traffickers. The cartel developed its distribution network under his command when it expanded from drug operations that included cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana to other markets throughout the United States and the world.
The El Chapo cartel used its advanced tunnel systems and distribution cells to transport vast drug shipments into key distribution areas through multiple transportation methods, which included air, sea, and land routes. The organization generated annual revenues that exceeded several billion dollars while using illegal means to finance its operations and launder money through unregulated methods. The cartel achieved market dominance through its tactical developments, which created partnerships that let it control major portions of the U.S. drug distribution network.
His appearance on the Forbes billionaires and “Most Powerful People” lists came from crude assessments of his cartel’s revenue, influence, and global reach, putting him among the few criminals ever featured alongside legitimate business magnates.
El Chapo's total assets reached approximately $1 billion at his peak because his drug trafficking operations created substantial profits for his cartel, although authorities struggled to identify his actual assets.
El Chapo had no known personal or familial relationship with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (El Mencho). The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which El Mencho controlled as his opposing faction, experienced substantial growth after Sinaloa lost its power following El Chapo's apprehension.
Forbes included El Chapo on its billionaire list between 2009 and 2013, estimating his net worth at around $1 billion. The listing drew heavy criticism due to his criminal activities, and later, Forbes removed him when it couldn’t verify his wealth accurately.
He received the nickname El Chapo, which means The Shorty because his height was below average while he managed one of the most dangerous drug empires in the world.
The global recognition of El Chapo results from his narcotics trafficking activities, which enable him to achieve success from his initial state as a poverty-stricken person. His short time on elite wealth lists demonstrated how criminal organizations can attain mainstream status through illegal activities while law enforcement works to dismantle international drug trafficking networks.
