Since rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel began clashing on September 9, at least 53 people have died and 51 others are unaccounted for in Mexico’s western Sinaloa state, according to local authorities. The violence, marked by its brutality, shows no signs of letting up.
The conflict was sparked by the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a key figure in one of the factions, in the United States in July.
Zambada, 74, claims he was kidnapped by a senior member of the opposing faction, Los Chapitos, and taken to the U.S. against his will.
Daily life in the capital, Culiacan, has been severely disrupted, with schools closing intermittently and businesses shutting down early due to ongoing shootouts.
Sinaloa governor Rubén Rocha Moya reported on Friday that over 40 individuals have been arrested in recent days, and more than 5,000 food packages have been distributed throughout the state.
In an effort to curb the escalating violence, Mexico’s military arrested Fernando Perez Medina, also known as “El Piyi,” who is believed to be the head of security for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, the leader of Los Chapitos and son of the imprisoned former Sinaloa kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
The arrest took place in Culiacan, according to a federal security source.
Additionally, Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) announced it was allocating resources to assist local authorities in caring for a tigress tied to a tree. It is common for high-ranking Sinaloan drug traffickers to keep tigers as pets.
The agency Profepa reported that veterinarians in Sinaloa refused to assist the tigress due to security concerns, leading them to supply military officials with a “cage, a dart rifle, and darts.”
However, ongoing violence has prevented the military from executing the rescue.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated on Thursday that the United States shares some blame for the instability, referencing prior discussions with U.S. officials and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the trafficker involved in Zambada’s kidnapping.
While U.S. officials have confirmed talks with Guzman, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, clarified last month that they were surprised to discover Zambada on U.S. soil, stressing that no American resources or personnel were involved in the July 25 abduction.
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