The ongoing violence in Culiacán, Sinaloa, has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, largely due to infighting within the Sinaloa Cartel. A power struggle has emerged between factions loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and those following the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, known as Los Chapitos. This internal conflict intensified after the recent arrests of key cartel figures, including Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ismael Zambada, leading to a sharp increase in violence across the region.

As a result, Culiacán has come to a standstill. Schools and businesses are closed, and Independence Day celebrations, set for mid-September, were canceled amid concerns for public safety. Residents are sheltering in their homes, with many avoiding travel due to fears of shootouts, carjackings, and roadblocks set up by cartel members. Over 30 people have died in just one week due to clashes between cartel groups and Mexican security forces.


The Mexican government has deployed hundreds of additional soldiers to try and contain the violence, but the situation remains volatile. Local authorities are under pressure, with the business sector reporting losses exceeding 800 million pesos (about $40 million) and severe disruptions to daily life, including shortages of basic goods. Despite efforts to maintain order, the violence appears to be spreading, with tensions continuing to rise between the warring factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.


The U.S. has also issued a security alert for the area, warning citizens to avoid travel to Culiacán and surrounding regions due to the high levels of violence. The long-standing rivalry between Los Chapitos and El Mayo's faction is expected to continue driving instability in the region in the near future.



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Life stops in Sinaloa amidst war between El Mayo and Los Chapitos | International | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)