Violence Surges in Sinaloa as US Denies Any Responsibility

Soldiers zone off a neighborhood in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Source: AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

Over the weekend 10 more people were reported killed as a result of cartel violence in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. This brings the death toll to over 50, with another 50 missing in the capital city of Culiacan. The dominant cartel in the region continues to battle for control of the territory, following the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States on July 25, 2024. Zambada was detained along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder who is now serving a life sentence in the US after being recaptured in 2017. 

In his over fifty years as leader, Zambada had never been detained and was deemed impossible to track down. Upon his arrest, the Mexican government insisted it had no involvement in the operation, and that all information they had came from the U.S. embassy. However, in a letter released by Zamabada on August 10, 2024, he alleges that it was his godson Guzman Lopez, who kidnapped him and flew him to the U.S. against his own wishes. A day prior the U.S. Embassy established an official five-point report stating that Zambada was taken to the U.S. unwillingly and denied any involvement by U.S. agencies on Mexican soil. On August 21, Guzman Lopez was the main suspect in Zambada’s arrest. Zambada has since pleaded not guilty to all charges, and remains jailed. 

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador delivering his last State of the Union in Mexico City. Source: AP Photo/FelixMarquez

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he trusted that traffickers were aware that they would face serious repercussions if violence escalated, and further said “I trust that there will be no confrontations.” Simultaneously, the Mexican army announced that it deployed 200 elite soldiers just in case. There was a period of silence from Mexican authorities after several attacks on the armed forces since September 9, 2024, and authorities say they believe the arrest raised tensions within groups loyal to either man. On September 17, 2024, the Secretary of National Defense acknowledged 13-cartel-related attacks against the military. The Armed Forces then deployed more than 2,200 reinforcements, and have said their main focus now is to contain the fighting. 

On Saturday, Mexican authorities announced they had deployed an extra 600 soldiers to the region. 

President Lopez Obrador has denied that the situation is out of control, saying that Mexican authorities are handling the matter. In his Thursday morning briefing, he stated, “If we are now facing instability and clashes in Sinaloa, it is because [the American government] made that decision.” He also added that American authorities were in charge of the operation and called it “totally illegal.” His sentiment that there “cannot be a cooperative relationship if they take unilateral decisions” was echoed by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. Scheinbaum, who is due to take office next month, said that “we can never accept that there is no communication or collaboration.”

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, rejected Lopez Obrador’s claims, also previously denying any involvement from Americans. In a press conference, he said the U.S. cannot be held responsible for the “massacres that we see in different places.” Salazar also said he has told Sheinbaum that cooperation between both countries will have to be strengthened and deepened to properly deal with security challenges. 

This is the latest in the tensions arising between  U.S. and Mexican relations. In late August, Lopez Obrador said he would put relations with US and Canadian embassies on “pause,” following concerns by the countries over his controversial proposed judicial overhaul. 

Additionally, on Sept. 24, Mexico finalized plans to take control of a port and quarry owned by U.S. company Vulcan Materials Co. Lopez Obrador declared the land a natural protected area, hours after U.S. lawmakers fought against the move. Marking another instance against business interests by Lopez Obrador’s government, Vulcan said in a statement the move was an “unlawful measure which will have chilling and long-term effect on US-Mexico trade and investment relations.”