The Most Famous Cartel Leader, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cartel leader you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 8, 2024 07:05
The influence of cartel leaders has been a subject of widespread analysis and debate. Their actions and decisions can impact communities, economies, and governance. By ranking these figures, it becomes possible to gauge public perception and understanding of their infamy and notoriety.
This interactive ranking system allows users to cast their vote, contributing to a dynamic assessment of these controversial figures. As the votes accumulate, the rankings adjust, providing an up-to-date reflection of collective opinion. It’s a tool for education and engagement, helping to illuminate the complexities behind these often mystified personas.
Who Is the Most Famous Cartel Leader?
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146votes
Colombian National Police · Public domainHe is one of the most notorious drug lords in history, and his Medellin cartel was responsible for 80% of the cocaine that entered the United States.Pablo Escobar in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Sicario
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous money launderer
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous gangster
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous criminal of all time
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Colombian
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240votes
DEA · Public domainHe was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world. He was known for his daring escapes from prison and his ruthless tactics.Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Mexican outlaw
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous prison escapees
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous money launderer
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313votes
Hetzeer · CC BY-SA 4.0He founded the Guadalajara cartel, which was responsible for much of the drug trafficking in Mexico during the 1980s. He was known as "The Godfather" and is currently serving a life sentence in prison.Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Sicario
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420votes
US gov · Public domainHe was the leader of the Juarez cartel, and one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico during the 1990s. He was known as "The Lord of the Skies" because of his fleet of private planes used to transport drugs.Amado Carrillo Fuentes in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Sicario
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55votes
FBI · Public domainHe was the leader of the Gulf cartel, and one of the first drug lords to use the border between Mexico and the United States to smuggle drugs. He was arrested in 1996 and is currently serving a life sentence in prison. -
63votes
United States Government · Public domainHe was an American drug lord who operated in New York during the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his innovative methods of smuggling heroin into the United States, including hiding it in the coffins of dead American soldiers.Frank Lucas in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous black gangster
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous snitch
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74votes
U.S. state of Florida · Public domainHe was a co-founder of the Medellin cartel, and one of the most powerful drug traffickers in Colombia during the 1980s. He was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and his connections to the Nazi party. -
82votes
Metro Dade Police Department · Public domainShe was a Colombian drug lord who operated in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s. She was known as "The Godmother" and was one of the most ruthless drug traffickers in history.Griselda Blanco in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous female assassin
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous hitman
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95votes
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) · Public domainHe was a co-founder of the Guadalajara cartel, and one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico during the 1970s and 1980s. He was responsible for the murder of a DEA agent in 1985 and is currently a fugitive from justice.Rafael Caro Quintero in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Sicario
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Mexican outlaw
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105votes
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) · Public domainHe was the leader of the Gulf cartel from 1996 to 2003, and one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico during that time. He was known for his violent tactics and his willingness to use military-style weapons against his enemies.
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Ranking factors for famous cartel leader
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The level of organization of the cartelCartel leaders who were able to establish and maintain highly organized structures and operations are often considered more influential and famous.
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The scale and reach of the cartelCartel leaders who were able to expand their operations beyond their local region or territory are often considered more influential and famous.
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The level of violence and brutality employed by the cartelCartel leaders who were known for their ruthless tactics and high level of violence are often considered more infamous and well-known.
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The impact of the cartel on international drug traffickingCartel leaders who were able to influence and control significant portions of the international drug trade are often considered more famous and influential.
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The amount of media attention and coverageCartel leaders who receive more media attention and coverage, whether positive or negative, are often considered more famous and well-known.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous cartel leader. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or capo is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1515 views
- 139 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each capo once every 24 hours. The rank of each capo is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous cartel leader
The world of drug trafficking and organized crime has produced some notorious figures over the years, and none more so than the leaders of the infamous cartels that operate across Latin America. These criminal organizations have become synonymous with violence, corruption, and the illegal drug trade, and their leaders have become household names as a result. While there are many notorious cartel leaders, one figure stands out above the rest: Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
Guzmán rose to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the Guadalajara Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking organizations. After the cartel's leader was arrested in 1989, Guzmán took over and began to build his own empire. Over the years, he became known for his ruthless tactics, including violence, bribery, and intimidation. Despite numerous arrests and prison escapes, Guzmán continued to run his cartel until he was finally extradited to the United States in 2017. Today, he is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison in Colorado, but his legacy as one of the most infamous cartel leaders in history lives on.
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