Under Zambada’s leadership and that of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world, prosecutors say.
Venezuelan authorities didn't immediately confirm the releases, but opposition leaders like Henrique Capriles celebrated on social media, calling it a "step forward."
To help resolve the crisis, the government announced it would speed up asylum appeals that could lead to more deportations and clear a backlog of cases.
The storm is forecast to hit provinces that are less industrialized than the area struck last year by Typhoon Yagi, which killed around 300 people and caused billions in property damage.