A large-scale demonstration took place in Culiacán, Sinaloa, this Sunday as residents called for an immediate cessation of the violence that has plagued the region for two years. Participants, many dressed in white, carried signs and photographs of missing relatives to highlight the human toll of the ongoing conflict between two rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel: Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.
The unrest intensified following the arrest of drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the United States. His supporters, La Mayiza, accuse the faction led by the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán of betrayal, sparking a cycle of shootings, kidnappings, and arson. Official data indicates a sharp rise in homicides, disappearances, and extortions, severely impacting the local economy. Sergio Esquer, a business leader, noted that over 5,000 businesses have been forced to shut down due to the instability.
The protest, supported by civil society groups, local businesses, and the Catholic Church, began with a religious service. During the Mass, the bishop of Culiacán urged the warring factions to cease their hostilities, stating that no amount of money or territory justifies the loss of human life.
Beyond the cartel violence, the state is grappling with political instability. Governor Rubén Rocha recently faced accusations from U.S. prosecutors regarding alleged ties to Los Chapitos. While Rocha has denied these claims, he has taken multiple leaves of absence amid the ongoing investigation and pressure from federal leadership. The march also served as a somber reminder of the conflict's victims, including a one-year-old child recently killed by stray gunfire during a shootout.
Source: BBC News
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