Mexican soldiers killed 19 suspected Sinaloa cartel members in a shootout in the northwestern state, according to the Ministry of Defense. The troops were attacked by over 30 individuals near Culiacan, the state capital, resulting in the death of the cartel members. Violence in Sinaloa has escalated following the arrest of the cartel’s co-founder, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, in the US in July.
The arrest of Zambada led to a conflict between his relatives and the sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, another cartel co-founder. The Ministry of Defense stated that the members of the cartel killed in the recent incident were believed to be associated with Zambada’s faction. Zambada, aged 76, was apprehended in the southern United States alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of “El Chapo’s” sons, who led a group within the cartel known as the “Chapitos.”
The US Justice Department released details of an indictment last year, revealing that the “Chapitos” and their associates engaged in brutal tactics such as torture using corkscrews, electrocution, and hot chiles on their rivals. Some victims were reportedly fed to tigers while still alive. In April 2023, El Chapo’s sons, along with 28 other Sinaloa cartel members, were charged in a major fentanyl-trafficking investigation. El Chapo himself is currently serving a life sentence in a high-security prison in Colorado after being convicted in 2019 on various charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons offenses.
The violence and internal strife within the Sinaloa cartel continue to pose significant challenges in the region, with the recent shootout highlighting the ongoing power struggles and conflicts within the criminal organization. The Mexican authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat drug cartels and maintain law and order in the country. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of organized crime and the impact it has on communities and law enforcement agencies.
