Mexico City: At least 53 people have been killed, and 51 others are missing in Mexico’s western Sinaloa state, as violent clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel escalate, local authorities reported on Friday. The brutal conflict, which erupted on September 9, shows no signs of slowing down.
The violence stems from a rift between the two dominant factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, following the arrest of legendary trafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States earlier in July. Zambada, 74, has claimed that a senior member of the Los Chapitos faction—led by Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, son of jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman—kidnapped him and transported him to the U.S. against his will.
Since the clashes began, daily life in the state capital, Culiacan, has been severely disrupted by gunfights. Schools have closed on multiple occasions, while businesses, including restaurants and shops, have had to shut down early.
On Friday, Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya announced that more than 40 individuals had been arrested in connection with the ongoing violence. Authorities have also distributed over 5,000 food packages to affected areas across the state.
Despite efforts to contain the violence, Mexico’s military has struggled to restore order. On Thursday, they arrested Fernando Perez Medina, also known as “El Piyi”, the alleged head of security for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman. His capture took place in Culiacan, according to a federal security source.
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Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) is coordinating efforts to care for a tigress found tied to a tree, a pet belonging to one of the cartel’s senior members. Narcos in Sinaloa are known for keeping exotic animals, including tigers. Due to security concerns, local veterinarians have refused to intervene. Profepa has provided military officials with a cage, dart rifle, and tranquilizers, though ongoing violence has hindered the tigress’s rescue.
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Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has partly blamed the United States for the cartel’s infighting, alleging that the U.S. “carried out this operation” in reference to earlier negotiations between U.S. officials and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the trafficker involved in Zambada’s kidnapping. U.S. officials have confirmed holding talks with Guzman Lopez but denied any involvement in the kidnapping itself. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, reiterated last month that American personnel were unaware of Zambada’s presence on U.S. soil and played no part in his July 25 abduction.
