At least 10 more people have been reportedly killed in Mexico’s Sinaloa state, bringing the total number of fatalities to over 100. The ongoing violence is a result of clashes between rival cartel factions, with gruesome incidents showing no signs of stopping soon. This surge in violence follows the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States in late July, which sparked an internal power struggle within the group. The capital city of Culiacan has seen the majority of the violence, with around 70 deaths reported since September 9, in addition to 51 people reported missing.
Recent reports indicate that the violence in Culiacan escalated over the weekend, with multiple incidents occurring in a short period of time. A shootout between police and alleged hitmen was followed by armed individuals blockading a road near the prosecutor’s office. Additionally, security agents were attacked by armed men who fled into an apartment building, resulting in three suspected gunmen being killed, one arrested, and two soldiers injured. The governor of Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha Moya, provided these details of the events.
In response to the escalating violence, Governor Rocha met with President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City over the weekend. The federal government also deployed 600 soldiers to Sinaloa in an effort to reinforce security in the state. Media reports indicated seven more deaths in addition to the recent fatalities, with five bodies found in the street, half-naked and wearing hats, likely intended as a message of intimidation to the warring factions. The circumstances of the other two deaths have not been disclosed, and authorities have yet to comment on the recent spike in violence.
The arrest of Zambada, along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of cartel co-founder Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, has further fueled the power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel. The violent clashes are believed to involve gang members loyal to El Chapo and his sons against those aligned with Zambada. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has partially blamed the United States for the current situation, accusing the US of unilaterally orchestrating Zambada’s capture. However, US Ambassador Ken Salazar refuted these claims, stating that the US cannot be held responsible for the violence seen in Sinaloa and other areas.
The situation in Sinaloa remains tense as the violence shows no signs of abating, with the power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel continuing to escalate. The deployment of soldiers and efforts to reinforce security in the state indicate a concerted effort to address the rising violence. The consequences of these clashes extend beyond the immediate fatalities, impacting the local communities and residents caught in the crossfire. As the situation unfolds, authorities and law enforcement agencies will need to work together to address the root causes of the violence and prevent further loss of life in the region.
