Violence has increased in Sinaloa following the arrest of Ismael Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, who is now on trial in the US. The Mexican military killed 19 suspected cartel members after they attacked soldiers in Culiacan. The shootout resulted in the death of the gunmen, who were presumed to be part of Zambada’s faction. One cartel leader was arrested during the incident, while others fled the scene. Officials seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and military-style equipment.
In July, Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of “El Chapo,” were arrested in Texas. Zambada accused Guzman Lopez of kidnapping him and turning him over to US authorities. “El Chapo” is currently serving a life sentence in the US for drug trafficking. Zambada has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, murder, and other charges in New York, while Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a Chicago federal court. The arrest of these high-profile cartel members has led to increased gang violence in Sinaloa.
The escalating violence in Sinaloa has resulted in approximately 200 deaths and over 300 missing persons since early September, according to official figures. The violence is often linked to drug trafficking and gang activity in the region. Mexico has seen over 450,000 murders since 2006, largely attributed to the ongoing drug war within the country. The situation in Sinaloa has become even more volatile following the arrest of Zambada and other key cartel figures, leading to potentially greater unrest in the region.
The Sinaloa cartel has been heavily impacted by the recent arrests and resulting infighting within the organization. With Zambada and other leaders facing legal proceedings in the US, power struggles and increased violence have emerged among different factions of the cartel. The Mexican military has been forced to intervene to quell the violence, leading to further clashes and casualties. The situation in Sinaloa remains unstable as rival groups vie for control amid the chaos.
The arrest of Zambada and other key figures in the Sinaloa cartel has significant implications for the drug trafficking landscape in Mexico. The cartel has long been one of the most powerful and influential criminal organizations in the country, and its internal conflicts could have far-reaching consequences. The Mexican government faces the challenge of addressing the violence and instability caused by the cartel’s infighting while also combating the larger issue of drug trafficking throughout the country. The ongoing conflict in Sinaloa underscores the broader impact of organized crime on Mexican society and the challenges of law enforcement in addressing these complex issues.
