Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano (Z-3, "El Lazca")

Designated Z-3, Lazcano was a GAFE special forces member trained at Fort Bragg by US special forces. After Guzmán Decena’s death in 2002, Lazcano became the supreme leader of Los Zetas, overseeing their transformation from Gulf Cartel enforcers into an independent criminal organization.

Under Lazcano’s leadership, the Zetas became Mexico’s largest cartel by geographic footprint, pioneered diversified criminal portfolios (oil theft, extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking), and expanded into Central America, recruiting Guatemalan Kaibiles special forces.

Killed by Mexican Marines in Coahuila in October 2012. His body was subsequently stolen from a funeral home, reportedly by Zetas members.