Thousands demand end to violence in Mexican cartel hotspot
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Culiacán to demand an end to the violence that has wracked the city in northern Mexico. The state of Sinaloa has seen the number of murders and disappearances skyrocket since two factions of the Sinaloa cartel started a bloody war two years ago. Residents dressed in […]
In the city of Culiacán, northern Mexico, thousands of residents have taken to the streets to protest against the violent conflict that has plagued their city for the past two years. The ongoing war between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, has led to a surge in murders, disappearances, extortion, and robberies. The protest, held on Sunday, saw residents dressed in white holding up posters of missing loved ones and signs demanding an end to fear and the pursuit of peace.
Culiacán, home to over three million people, has been deeply affected by the violence, with official figures showing a significant increase in criminal activities. The conflict began after the arrest of drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the United States, which led to La Mayiza accusing his followers of betraying him. This betrayal fueled a deadly internal feud between the two factions, who frequently engage in ambushes, drive-by shootings, and hijack trucks, setting them ablaze.
Sunday's protest was organized by relatives of victims, local businesses, civil society groups, and the Catholic Church. The event began with a Mass, during which the bishop of Culiacán urged the warring groups to cease their violence, emphasizing that no amount of power, money, territory, or ambition is worth more than a human life.
Businessman Sergio Esquer, a leader in the centre-left opposition party Movimiento Ciudadano, highlighted the economic impact of the conflict, stating that more than 5,000 businesses have closed since the feud started. Esquer emphasized the tragedy that Sinaloa is currently experiencing due to the violence.
The protest also drew attention to the political turmoil in Sinaloa state, which has intensified in recent months. In April, US prosecutors accused the state governor, Rubén Rocha, and nine other officials of conspiring with Los Chapitos to smuggle drugs into the US. Rocha, who denies any wrongdoing, briefly stepped down while Mexican prosecutors investigated the allegations.
He returned to his post but later requested another leave of absence after President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed concerns about "power without principles becoming arrogance" on social media.
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