Authorities confirmed on Friday, September 13, that at least 15 people have been killed this week amid escalating violence between rival factions of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.
The northwestern state of Sinaloa, a long-time stronghold of the cartel, has been plagued by gunfire, abductions, and arson. In response, the government has deployed additional security forces to the region.
The recent surge in violence follows the July arrest of cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States. Zambada, 76, who claimed he was kidnapped in Mexico and handed over to U.S. authorities, faces charges alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of the infamous drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
The unrest in Sinaloa’s capital, Culiacan, appears to be part of an internal power struggle within the cartel, with factions loyal to El Chapo and his sons clashing with those aligned with Zambada, who entered a not guilty plea in a New York court on Friday.
Sinaloa state governor Ruben Rocha Moya linked the violence to the events of July 25, the date of 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 endangering innocent civilians. He called on residents to “act with caution, but without alarmism,” hoping for a return to normalcy in Culiacan.
The state prosecutor’s office reported 15 confirmed deaths and is investigating 20 suspected cases of forced disappearances. The violence has led to school closures in some districts and the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations across the state.
“There will be no public or private celebrations,” Governor Rocha Moya announced. Businesses in Culiacan have shut down, and supermarkets are facing shortages due to panic buying. The National Chamber of Commerce has reported that workers feel unsafe and business owners are struggling amidst the chaos.
On Thursday, the United States issued a security alert, warning citizens of car thefts, gunfire, and burning vehicles in and around Culiacan. It advised U.S. citizens to remain vigilant for potential violence throughout the state.
Culiacan has experienced cartel-related unrest in recent years, including violent riots in October 2019 following a failed security operation to capture El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzman, and again in January 2023 when he was finally arrested.
Mexico continues to grapple with pervasive violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, with over 450,000 people murdered since 2006.
