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15 Killed in Mexican Gang Stronghold Amidst Cartel Infighting

Esther

Infighting between factions of one of Mexico's most notorious drug cartels has resulted in at least 15 deaths this week. The conflict, which has shaken the gang stronghold with gunfire, abductions, and arson, is centered in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, the traditional bastion of the infamous drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and his sons.

The wave of violence in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, is believed to be a direct consequence of the dramatic arrest on U.S. soil in July of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Zambada, who claimed he had been kidnapped in Mexico and delivered into U.S. custody against his will, was detained along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of El Chapo. This arrest has intensified the rivalry between gang members loyal to El Chapo and those aligned with Zambada.


"The rivalry stems from the events of July 25," stated Sinaloa state governor Ruben Rocha Moya. In response to the escalating violence, security reinforcements have been dispatched to the region.


President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged the warring factions to "act with a minimum of responsibility" and not to "harm innocent people." He also called on residents to "act with caution, but without alarmism," expressing hope that "complete normality will return to Culiacan soon."

The state prosecutor's office is currently investigating 20 cases of suspected forced disappearances in addition to the 15 deaths. Authorities have announced the closure of schools in some districts and the cancellation of Independence Day festivities due to the violence.


"There will be no celebration, neither public nor private," the governor confirmed. Many shops have closed their doors, and supermarkets are experiencing food shortages due to panic buying. A statement from the National Chamber of Commerce highlighted that "workers do not feel safe to go to their jobs, and business owners also face difficulties to operate in these adverse conditions."


The United States issued a security alert on Thursday, citing "reports of car thefts, gunfire, security forces operations, roadblocks, burning vehicles, and closed roadways" in the vicinity of Culiacan. The alert advised U.S. citizens throughout Sinaloa to remain vigilant for potential violence.


Culiacan has previously been the scene of violent riots by the Sinaloa cartel, notably in October 2019 during an aborted security operation to capture Ovidio Guzman, another of El Chapo's sons, and again in January 2023 when Ovidio was finally arrested. Since 2006, spiraling criminal violence linked to drug trafficking and gangs has resulted in more than 450,000 murders in Mexico.




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