Analysts who watch crime in Mexico say it's too soon to tell how Tuesday's arrest of a savage Tijuana drug gang leader will play out in Tijuana.
The arrest of Teodoro Garcia Simental, known as "El Teo," has law enforcement authorities and analysts on both sides of the border asking what will happen next in Tijuana.
Baja Calfiornia's Attorney General Rommel Moreno says "El Teo" had become Baja California's number one enemy. Moreno estimates the violence "El Teo" unleashed on Tijuana has claimed about 1,000 lives over the last two years.
David Shirk says how the drug turf war will play out now that "El Teo" is off the street is a great uncertainty.
"Either things will calm down significantly as things get under control and the area becomes less contested. Or there could be, of course, further violence and a further working out of differences among the cartels," said Shirk.
Attorney General Moreno says state and federal forces in Baja California are prepared for any fallout.
Garcia Simental is being held in Mexico City.
