Mexican Drug Cartel

The Cartel are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while amassing billions of dollars, Mexico's criminal groups are diverse and varied.

Mexico's drug cartels have existed for several decades, but saw their power increase dramatically following the decline of Colombia's dominant Cali and Medellin cartels in the 1990s.

Their growing influence in the region has been matched by an escalation in the brutal battles between the various and diverse groups.

But who are the main cartels, how long have they been operating, who are they led by - and which of them are locked in violent struggles with rival criminal organisations?

Los Zetas

Established: 1999

Leader: Omar "Z-42" Treviño Morales

Considered "the most technologically advanced, sophisticated and dangerous cartel" by the US government.

Mexico's largest drug cartel in terms of geographical presence - dominating vast swathes of the country's east - but drug trafficking makes up only half of the group's revenues.

Tijuana Cartel

Established: 1980s

Leader: Luis Fernando "El Ingeniero" Sanchez Arellano

While the cartel remains one of the main drug smugglers into the US, its operations have been limited by the spread of the Sinaloa Federation.

The group's leader, Luis "El Ingeniero" Arellano, nephew of the group's founders, was captured by the army in May 2014.

Juarez Cartel

Established: 1970s

Leader: Alberto Carrillo Fuentes, AKA "Betty La Fea" (Ugly Betty

Locked in a violent battle over territory with the Sinaloa Federation, cartel founder Amada Carrillo Fuentes died following botched plastic surgery in 1997.

His brother Alberto Carrillo Fuentes, the group's current leader, was caught in September 2013.

Beltran-Leyva Cartel

Established: 2008

Leader: Hector "El General" Beltran-Leyva

While it was declared "extinct" by the Mexican authorities in 2011, the group lives on in factions across the country.

It once controlled smuggling operations at airports across the country; but its factions are now largely seen as enforcement units for other cartels.

Sinaloa Federation

Established: 1989

Leader: Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera

Called "the most powerful drug trafficking organisation in the world" by the US Intelligence Community, Sinaloa has an established presence in 47 countries.

Leader Joaquin Guzman Loera - aka "El Chapo" - was once included in the Forbes Rich List. He escaped from prison in 2001, remaining at large until February 2014.

Gulf Cartel

Established: 1930s

Leader: Jorge Eduardo "El Coss" Costilla Sanchez

Jorge Eduardo "El Coss" Costilla Sanchez

The oldest organised crime group in Mexico, the Gulf Cartel has partnerships around the world and is a primary target for law enforcement due to the political connections of former allies Los Zetas.

Its "supreme leader", Jorge Costilla Sanchez, was arrested in 2012.

Knights Templar

Established: 2011

Leader: Servando "El Profe" Gomez Martinez

Formed from the remnants of La Familia Michoacana, members are indoctrinated to "fight and die" against their Los Zetas rivals.

The group is aligned with the Sinaloa Federation, but locked in an escalating conflict with Sinaloa allies Jalisco New Generation as they move into Knights Templar territory.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel

Established 2009

Leader: Nemesio Oseguera "El Mencho" Cervantes

Mexico's newest and fastest-growing criminal group, it is allied with the Sinaloa Federation but fighting Sinaloa allies the Knights Templar.

Expanded its operation network from coast to coast in just six months, the group seeks society's approval by posing as righteous nationalists.

Skynews