Cartel Violence Escalates in Sinaloa: Mayors Targeted Amid Internal Rivalries and Rising Death Toll

Injured arm partially buried in dirt.

Mexican mayors carjacked as Sinaloa Cartel violence spirals out of control, leaving over 30 dead in a week.

At a Glance

  • Two Mexican mayors were carjacked by cartel gunmen amid escalating violence in Sinaloa
  • Over 30 people have been killed in a week due to internal cartel rivalries
  • Mexican President López Obrador blames the U.S. for the surge in violence
  • Local police in Culiacan have been removed from streets, replaced by military forces
  • Residents are living in fear, with businesses closing early and schools shutting down

Cartel Violence Engulfs Sinaloa

Sinaloa, Mexico, is gripped by a wave of unprecedented violence as rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel clash for control. The conflict has escalated to such an extent that even local officials are not safe. In a brazen display of lawlessness, cartel gunmen carjacked two mayors, Estrella Palacios Dominguez of Mazatlan and Octavio Bastidas of San Ignacio, as they were en route to meet with the governor. These incidents underscore the gravity of the situation in a region where cartel influence has long overshadowed legitimate governance.

The surge in violence is reportedly linked to the capture of key cartel figures, including Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, in late July. This power vacuum has triggered a brutal struggle for dominance within the cartel, resulting in violent shootouts and a mounting death toll that has surpassed 30 in just one week. The chaos has spread fear among residents, forcing businesses to close early and schools to shut down, effectively paralyzing daily life in affected areas.

Mexican President Blames U.S., Straining Bilateral Relations

In response to the escalating crisis, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has pointed fingers at the United States, attributing the surge in violence to recent U.S. operations that led to the arrests of prominent cartel members. The Mexican leader has not minced words in his criticism, describing the U.S. actions as “totally illegal” and suggesting they have undermined bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking.

“Yes, of course … for having carried out this operation,” López Obrador stated, directly blaming the U.S. for the current violence.

This stance has strained U.S.-Mexico relations, with López Obrador announcing a diplomatic “pause” with the U.S. and Canada. The Mexican government is even considering treason charges against those involved in the U.S. operation, further complicating the international efforts to combat drug cartels.

Local Authorities Overwhelmed, Military Takes Control

The situation in Sinaloa has become so dire that local law enforcement has been deemed ineffective or potentially compromised. In an unprecedented move, the Mexican army has removed local police in Culiacan from the streets, seizing their weapons for inspection. This decision followed a march by 1,500 residents demanding peace after weeks of relentless cartel violence.

Governor Ruben Rocha acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “There are two groups that are confronting each other here. The authorities are here to face them down equally, both of them without exceptions.”

In the absence of local police, soldiers, state police, and the National Guard have been deployed to patrol the city. This militarization of public safety measures highlights the extreme challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order amidst the cartel chaos.

Residents Live in Fear as Violence Persists

The ongoing conflict has turned everyday life in Culiacan and surrounding areas into a nightmare for residents. Parents are afraid to send their children to school, leading to a shift to online classes. Cartel gunmen have been hijacking and burning vehicles to block highways, further disrupting daily activities and commerce.

In response to the crisis, a civic group called “Culiacan Valiente” organized a protest demanding safer streets and a return to in-class learning. Governor Rocha has announced plans to establish “anti-blockade” squads to manage the situation, but the effectiveness of such measures remains to be seen.

The local army commander, Gen. Francisco Leana Ojeda, offered a sobering assessment of the situation: “We want this to be over as soon as possible, but it doesn’t depend on us, it’s up to the warring groups to stop confronting each other.”

As the violence continues to escalate, with no clear end in sight, the people of Sinaloa are left to wonder when, if ever, peace will return to their embattled state. The ongoing crisis serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of drug cartels and the complex challenges faced by both Mexican and U.S. authorities in combating organized crime across borders.

Sources:

  1. Mexico Blames US for Cartel Violence Surge
  2. Police in a cartel-dominated Mexican city are pulled off the streets after army takes their guns
  3. Two Mexican Mayors Carjacked by Cartel Gunmen as Violence Reigns in Sinaloa