On Monday, July 20, 2026, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a New York court. The ruling, delivered by Judge Brian Cogan, also includes a staggering $15 billion payment order as part of the judicial resolution.

Before the sentence was handed down, Zambada addressed the court with a letter in which he accepted full responsibility for the crimes attributed to him. “I accept my punishment, I am not here to ask for compassion. I am here to accept my responsibility and ask for forgiveness,” he stated.

In a rare moment of reflection from a figure often seen as untouchable in the world of organized crime, “El Mayo” also called for an end to the violence plaguing Mexico. “The violence must stop in Mexico… No one will win this war,” he declared before the tribunal.

With this sentence, Zambada will spend the rest of his life in a US prison. Judge Cogan chose not to recommend a specific facility for his incarceration but emphasized that his physical condition should be taken into account.

This moment marks a significant chapter in the ongoing battle against drug cartels, highlighting the complex human and social costs behind the headlines. While the justice system moves forward, the call to end violence in Mexico remains a crucial plea from one of its most notorious figures.