Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is pointing fingers at the United States for the recent surge of violence in the state of Sinaloa, blaming the US for playing a role in escalating tensions within the Sinaloa drug cartel. The violence in Sinaloa has claimed the lives of dozens of individuals in the past two weeks, with bodies being discovered on public streets and highways, painting a grim picture of the situation in the region.
López Obrador made these claims during a press conference where he suggested that the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of notorious drug lord “El Chapo” Guzmán, in the US had contributed to the escalation of violence in Sinaloa. Zambada alleged that he was forcibly taken into custody by Guzmán López and handed over to US authorities, painting a picture of a violent abduction that led to his arrest.
The Mexican president implied that the US Department of Justice had some sort of agreement with an organized criminal group that facilitated the arrest of Zambada, characterizing the operation as a kidnapping rather than a legitimate law enforcement action. However, the US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, denied any US involvement in the operation that led to Zambada’s arrest, stating that it was a handover between cartels rather than a coordinated effort with US authorities.
Following the arrests of Zambada and Guzmán López, violent clashes erupted in Sinaloa between factions loyal to Zambada and those led by other sons of “El Chapo,” leading to a significant increase in violence in the region. Official figures indicate that at least 49 individuals have lost their lives due to the violence in Sinaloa since September 9, with reports of bodies being found with gunshot wounds in various locations across the state.
The escalating violence in Sinaloa prompted Governor Ruben Rocha Moya to take drastic measures, including suspending Independence Day celebrations and canceling classes at all levels for two days. The state prosecutor’s office reported numerous cases of dead bodies being discovered in public areas, highlighting the severity of the situation in Sinaloa and the challenges faced by local authorities in addressing the violence.
Despite the grim circumstances, López Obrador maintained that the situation in Sinaloa is not completely out of control and emphasized that Mexican authorities are actively working to address the violence. He acknowledged the need for special measures and the deployment of Armed Forces to combat the escalating violence, noting that several officers have lost their lives in the line of duty as a result of the extraordinary situation in Sinaloa.
Mexican Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval confirmed that at least two soldiers had lost their lives during the recent violence in Sinaloa, underscoring the risks faced by security forces in the region. The clashes between rival factions within the Sinaloa drug cartel have intensified the security challenges in the state, leading to a precarious situation that continues to unfold.
In the midst of the violence and instability in Sinaloa, the Mexican government faces a daunting task in restoring peace and security to the region. The allegations made by President López Obrador regarding US involvement in the escalation of violence add a layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the role of external factors in exacerbating internal conflicts within the Sinaloa drug cartel.
The challenges in Sinaloa serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of organized crime and the complexities of addressing violence and insecurity in Mexico. As the authorities continue to grapple with the fallout of recent events, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response to the escalating violence in Sinaloa becomes increasingly urgent. Only time will tell how the situation in the region unfolds and whether the Mexican government’s efforts will be sufficient to quell the violence and restore stability to Sinaloa.