to the cartel of Acapulco led by José Ángel Palacios Galeana (aka "El Capuchino"). Emergence and structure The emergence of the Independent Cartel of Acapulco illustrates how Felipe Calderón's security policy of going after the top drug lords in the cartels have fragmented them into smaller, localized, and autonomous factions, similar to the criminal groups currently operating in Colombia. The strategy of pursuing the top bosses of the drug trafficking organizations – known as the "Kingpin strategy" – first happened in Colombia in the 1980s. The effectiveness and results of the strategy in Colombia have raised optimism that the same strategy can work in Mexico. Nonetheless, attacking the logistics of the major organized crime groups (that is, arresting their leaders, killing high-ranking lieutenants, and interrupting their drug shipments) has often led to the creation of smaller, more agile gangs like the Independent Cartel of Acapulco. In recent years, the Acapulco area has experienced one of the highest levels of violence in Mexico, as two gangs battle for the control of the lucrative port with the external support of much larger cartels operating at a national level. The cartel is mostly composed of former members loyal to Edgar Valdez Villarreal, who was arrested in September 2010. The group is responsible for several homicides in Acapulco, and is part of the "wave of smaller local gangs" operating in the area. References External links Mexico's war on drugs blights resort of Acapulco (archive) — The Guardian Organizations established in 2010 2010 establishments in Mexico Organizations disestablished in 2014 2014 disestablishments in Mexico Disbanded Mexican drug cartels Mexican drug war Acapulco