Top Zeta Cartel Boss Is a US Citizen, Not Wanted by Mexican authorities

One of the two top bosses in the structure of Los Zetas is not from Mexico but in fact is a U.S. Citizen. He has a clean criminal record in Mexico even though that area is where he is most active in. 

Recently the U.S. Department Of State announced a $5 million reward for the capture of Jose Maria “El Charly or Z43” Guizar Valencia, the man alleged to lead the southern faction of the Zetas responsible of multi-ton drug shipments as well as countless murders in Mexico and Guatemala.

Los Zetas were formed in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s by Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas, who killed his way to the top of the organization and needed a core group of hitmen loyal only to him. Over time the group grew in size and power; after Cardenas ended up behind bars, Los Zetas branched out and in 2010 began a fierce war with their former masters, the Gulf Cartel. Unlike other drug cartels, Los Zetas sought to distinguish themselves as the most brutal and fierce criminal organization known for beheadings and mutilations. 

Guizar, a U.S. citizen as per the Department of State, is from Tulare, California and is 35-years-old. He is wanted on drug and money laundering conspiracy charges in multiple districts throughout the nation and the Department of State Is offering a $5 million reward for his capture.  Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office is not offering a reward for Guizar’s capture and no arrest warrants for his capture could be confirmed when Breitbart Texas consulted with Mexican law enforcement agencies. 

Following the death of Zeta’s founder Heriberto “Z3” Lazcano and the arrest of his successor Miguel Angel “Z-40” Trevino, the leadership of the Zetas fell on Guizar and Trevino’s younger brother Omar “Z-42” Trevino. According to U.S. law enforcement members of that spoke with Breitbart Texas, Guizar has been operating in the southern part of Mexico where he oversaw the territories and controlled key areas in Guatemala. Guizar’s connection to the southern part of Mexico is also tied to a strong family presence in the area and within the Zetas cartel.