Maldeira Cartel

The Maldeira Cartel, also known as the Maldeira Syndicate, is a large criminal organization led by Giovanni Maldeira. It is the second cartel to be formed, after the Gulf Cartel. The Maldeira Cartel is also the largest cartel to exist. It was most influential in all of Middle America and South America with an exception to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Once the Maldeira Cartel collapsed numerous other cartels formed. The most noteworthy are the Sinaloa Cartel, Potosino Cartel and Eladio Cartel in Mexico as well as the Medellin Cartel and Cali Cartel in Colombia.

History

Establishment

The Maldeira Cartel was formed shortly after the establishment of the Gulf Cartel. Giovanni Maldeira signed deals with a high amount of criminal organizations known as Plaza's in Mexico. He also signed deals with a high amount of corrupt businessmen. Shortly after Maldeira also started influencing politicians and various other high ranking people. Maldeira's Cartel grew to power swiftly primarily in Mexico. The influence commenced expanding to other regions as well such as Colombia and other regions in Middle America. After a few years the Maldeira Cartel controlled most of Middle America and South America except Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Giovanni Maldeira signed deals with various businessmen and leaders primarily in Mexico. Maldeira aligned himself with local drug producers such as Felix Gallardo, Ernesto Fonseca and Rafa Quintero. They started aligning themselves with various Mexican Plazas, local drug lords. Maldeira swiftly made deals with more businessmen from all over Mexico and Colombia. Colombia's drug trade was already growing immensely. Maldeira desired influence in the region and signed deals with the local growing drug producers.

In Mexico, Maldeira allowed Felix Gallardo to be second in command, making most of the deals.

Felix Gallardo invited a large amount of businessmen and drug producers to Guadalajara and aligned the cartel with the following businessmen: Pedro Aviles of Sinaloa, Pablo Acosta of Ojinaga, the Arellano Felix Brothers from Tijuana, primarily Benjamin Arellano, Gabino Salcido from Mazatlan, Filemon Medina from Zacatecas and Rene Verdugo from Nogales. He also aligned the cartel with the local police forces and intelligence agencies.

Ernesto Fonseca brought his cousin, Amado Carillo also into the business. Rafael Aguilar was an associate of Amado and decided also to join the cartel. However, a dispute between Pedro Aviles and Pablo Acosta led to Acosta being kicked out of the organization by Pedro. This caused the other members to distance themselves from the organization. It was a large hit to Maldeira and Felix Gallardo. Felix Gallardo, who was in charge of bringing everyone together, was forcefully taken with Pedro after the meeting.

Pedro Aviles was planning on killing Felix Gallardo. However, Pedro was stopped by police. He was forced to step out of the car and together with his bodyguards they were shot. Only Felix Gallardo and the driver were not shot. Don Neto revealed he was in charge brought the cops, who belong to the DFS, a highly corrupt intelligence agency. They also served as secret police. Felix Gallardo shot the severely wounded Pedro Aviles, killing him.

The driver was also spared. He was revealed to be Joaquin Guzman, also known as El Chapo or Chapo. Felix Gallardo allowed Chapo to work for him. The death of Pedro Aviles caused the cartel to still be formed.