How many cartels are estimated in Mexico?

As of 2021, there were an estimated 10 major drug trafficking cartels in Mexico. These cartels include:

* Sinaloa Cartel: The largest and most powerful cartel in Mexico, led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán until his capture in 2016.

* Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG): One of the fastest-growing and most violent cartels in Mexico, led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho".

* Los Zetas: Originally a paramilitary group formed by deserters from the Mexican army, the Zetas are known for their extreme cruelty and violence.

* Gulf Cartel: One of the oldest and most established cartels in Mexico, based in the state of Tamaulipas.

* Beltrán-Leyva Cartel: Previously led by the Beltrán-Leyva brothers, this cartel has split into several factions.

* Juárez Cartel: Based in the city of Ciudad Juárez, the Juárez Cartel has been weakened in recent years due to conflicts with other cartels and government crackdowns.

* Colima Cartel: A relatively small but influential cartel based in the state of Colima.

* Michoacán Family (Familia Michoacana): A cartel based in the state of Michoacán, known for its alliance with the Knights Templar cartel in the early 2010s.

* Los Rojos: A cartel based in the state of Guerrero, known for its involvement in drug trafficking and extortion.

* Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel: A cartel based in the state of Guanajuato, known for its involvement in oil theft and extortion.

It's important to note that the cartel landscape in Mexico is constantly evolving, with new groups emerging and existing cartels splintering or merging. Additionally, the estimates of the number of cartels can vary depending on different sources and definitions of what constitutes a drug cartel.