Escalating Violence in Sinaloa: A Crisis Unfolding
At least 15 individuals have been killed this week due to escalating violence between rival factions of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, authorities confirmed on Friday, September 13. The northwestern state of Sinaloa, historically a stronghold of the cartel, has been plagued by gunfire, abductions, and arson, prompting the Mexican government to deploy security reinforcements to the region.
The recent surge in violence follows the arrest of cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States in July. Zambada, 76, who claims he was kidnapped in Mexico and handed over to U.S. authorities against his will, faces charges alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of the infamous drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
Internal Cartel Power Struggle
The violence in Sinaloa’s capital, Culiacan, appears to be part of an internal power struggle within the cartel. Factions loyal to El Chapo and his sons are reportedly clashing with those aligned with Zambada, who pleaded not guilty to numerous charges in a New York court on Friday. According to Sinaloa state governor Ruben Rocha Moya, “The rivalry stems from the events of July 25,” referring to Zambada’s arrest.
In response to the turmoil, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged the warring factions to exercise “a minimum of responsibility” and avoid harming innocent civilians. He has called on residents to “act with caution, but without alarmism,” hoping for a swift return to normalcy in Culiacan.
Impact on Culiacan and State Response
The state prosecutor’s office is investigating 20 suspected cases of forced disappearances in addition to the 15 confirmed deaths. The violence has led to the closure of schools in some districts, and Independence Day celebrations have been canceled across the state. Governor Rocha Moya announced, “There will be no celebration, neither public nor private.” Businesses in Culiacan have shut down, supermarkets face shortages due to panic buying, and the National Chamber of Commerce reports that workers no longer feel safe to go to their jobs.
The United States issued a security alert on Thursday, warning citizens of reports of car thefts, gunfire, and burning vehicles in and around Culiacan. The alert urged U.S. citizens to remain vigilant for potential violence throughout the state.
Historical Context of Cartel Violence
Culiacan has experienced cartel-related unrest in recent years, with violent riots erupting in October 2019 during a failed security operation to capture El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzman, and again in January 2023 when he was finally arrested. Mexico has grappled with relentless violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, with over 450,000 people murdered since 2006.