The northwestern state of Sinaloa, known for its picturesque landscapes and historical heritage, has also become synonymous with one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in the world: the Sinaloa Cartel. The recent spate of violence, with more than 100 people killed or missing, underscores the fragile state of security in Mexico and the ongoing power struggle that has emerged in the wake of the cartel’s leadership crisis. The arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, has ignited a brutal and bloody internal war, with rival factions vying for control over the cartel’s lucrative empire.
A History of Power and Influence
To understand the current violence engulfing Sinaloa, it is crucial to explore the origins and evolution of the Sinaloa Cartel. Founded in the late 1980s, the Sinaloa Cartel rose to power under the leadership of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The organization gained international notoriety for its sophisticated smuggling networks, responsible for transporting large quantities of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the United States.
At its height, the Sinaloa Cartel controlled vast swaths of territory in Mexico and operated with near impunity, thanks to its ability to corrupt government officials, law enforcement, and even members of the military. The cartel’s deep roots in Sinaloa, a state known for its fertile drug-producing regions, allowed it to maintain a dominant position in Mexico’s criminal underworld.
While “El Chapo” became the face of the cartel, it was “El Mayo” Zambada who was widely regarded as the more calculating and strategic leader. Zambada, unlike Guzmán, managed to evade capture for decades, quietly pulling the strings of the cartel’s vast operations. His low profile and ability to maintain alliances within the organization allowed him to retain significant influence even as Guzmán’s notoriety grew.
The Arrest of Zambada and Guzman’s Sons
In July 2023, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s arrest by U.S. authorities marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Sinaloa Cartel. Zambada, at 76 years old, had been one of the last remaining original leaders of the cartel, and his capture left a significant power vacuum at the top of the organization. Adding to the turmoil, the arrest of Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of “El Chapo” Guzman’s sons, further destabilized the cartel’s leadership structure.
The arrests of these two high-profile figures unleashed a wave of violence across Sinaloa, as rival factions within the cartel scrambled to fill the power void. On one side were the so-called “Chapitos,” the sons of “El Chapo” Guzmán, who sought to maintain control over the cartel’s operations. On the other side were the loyalists to “El Mayo” Zambada, who believed that his arrest would not mark the end of his influence and were determined to protect his legacy.
This internal power struggle, combined with external pressures from rival cartels such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has transformed Sinaloa into a battlefield, where bloodshed and violence are the new norm. The competition for control of key drug trafficking routes, territories, and alliances has resulted in a cycle of retribution and killings, with neither side willing to back down.
The Human Toll
Since early September 2023, the violence in Sinaloa has spiraled out of control. By mid-October, more than 100 people were reported dead or missing, with the city of Culiacán, the state capital, being the epicenter of the conflict. Authorities reported that over 70 people had been killed in just one month, with shootouts between rival factions and security forces becoming a daily occurrence.
The violence reached new heights on Saturday, September 9, when a series of brazen attacks took place in the central Tres Ríos area of Culiacán. Gunmen believed to be part of a cartel hit squad, opened fire on police officers, leading to a prolonged gunfight. In a separate incident, armed men attacked security agents, who fled into an apartment complex, sparking another deadly shootout. In the aftermath, three suspected gunmen were killed, one was arrested, and two soldiers were injured.
The gruesome nature of the violence, including the discovery of five half-naked bodies left on a street as a message of intimidation, highlights the brutal tactics employed by both sides in the conflict. These public displays of violence serve not only as warnings to rival factions but also as a means of asserting dominance in the ongoing power struggle.
The violence has also taken a severe toll on civilians. Innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire, and families have been torn apart by the disappearance of loved ones. According to reports, 51 people were still missing as of mid-October, their fates unknown.
A Struggle for Control
In response to the escalating violence, the Mexican government has deployed additional security forces to Sinaloa in an attempt to regain control of the situation. On Saturday, September 16, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration sent 600 soldiers to reinforce security in the state, a move that underscored the gravity of the situation.
However, the government’s response has been met with criticism from various quarters. While the deployment of troops is seen as a necessary step to curb the violence, it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s broader security strategy. Critics argue that the militarization of security forces has done little to address the root causes of cartel violence, and in some cases, has even exacerbated the problem.
President López Obrador, who campaigned on a platform of reducing violence through a strategy of “hugs, not bullets,” has found himself in an increasingly difficult position as the violence continues to spiral out of control. His administration’s reliance on military forces to combat cartels stands in stark contrast to his earlier promises of addressing the social and economic conditions that fuel organized crime.
Moreover, the president’s decision to blame the United States for some of the violence in Sinaloa has sparked controversy. López Obrador suggested that the U.S. unilaterally planned the capture of Zambada, which he claimed contributed to the violence. U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar quickly dismissed these allegations, stating that the U.S. should not be held responsible for the massacres taking place in Mexico.
This back-and-forth highlights the tense relationship between Mexico and the U.S. when it comes to combating cartel violence. The two countries have long collaborated on counter-narcotics operations, but tensions often arise over issues of sovereignty, the extradition of cartel leaders, and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
Intimidation and Warfare
The Sinaloa Cartel has long been known for its brutal tactics, and the current power struggle has only intensified the level of violence. The use of public executions, road blockades, and ambushes has become commonplace as rival factions seek to outmaneuver each other.
The cartels have also employed sophisticated communication networks to coordinate their operations and evade law enforcement. These networks include encrypted messaging apps, burner phones, and even drones, which are used to monitor the movements of rival factions and security forces.
One of the most chilling aspects of the current violence is the cartels’ use of “narco-messages” to intimidate their enemies. These messages, often written on banners or left at crime scenes, serve as warnings to rival factions and law enforcement. The discovery of five bodies left in the street, half-naked and wearing hats, is believed to be one such message, intended to assert dominance in the ongoing power struggle.
Rising Influence of El Chapo’s Sons
The sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known collectively as “Los Chapitos,” have become key players in the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal power struggle. Since their father’s extradition to the United States in 2017, they have sought to consolidate their control over the cartel’s operations.
While the Chapitos have a significant following within the cartel, they also face opposition from factions loyal to “El Mayo” Zambada. Zambada’s long-standing ties to the cartel’s leadership and his reputation as a shrewd strategist have earned him the loyalty of many within the organization.
The rivalry between the Chapitos and Zambada’s faction has been a driving force behind the recent violence in Sinaloa. As the sons of “El Chapo” attempt to assert their dominance, they face resistance from those who believe that Zambada’s arrest should not mark the end of his influence within the cartel.
The internal power struggle is further complicated by the involvement of external actors, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has been attempting to expand its influence into Sinaloa. The CJNG, led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” has emerged as one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in Mexico, and its encroachment into Sinaloa has added a new dimension to the conflict.
Shared Responsibilities
While Mexico bears the brunt of cartel violence, the United States also plays a significant role in the dynamics of the drug trade. The U.S. is not only the primary destination for the drugs trafficked by the Sinaloa Cartel but also a major source of the weapons used in the cartel’s operations.
The flow of illegal firearms from the U.S. into Mexico has long been a contentious issue, with Mexican authorities repeatedly calling on the U.S. to do more to stem the tide of weapons crossing the border. Despite efforts to crack down on arms trafficking, thousands of firearms continue to make their way into the hands of cartel members, fueling the violence.
At the same time, the demand for drugs in the United States remains a driving force behind the cartel’s operations. The lucrative U.S. drug market provides the cartels with the financial resources they need to sustain their criminal enterprises. Efforts to reduce demand for drugs in the U.S., such as addiction treatment programs and public awareness campaigns, are seen as critical components of any long-term strategy to combat cartel violence.
The Future of Sinaloa and Mexico’s Security Crisis
As the violence in Sinaloa shows no signs of abating, the future of Mexico’s security remains uncertain. The internal power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel is likely to continue, with both the Chapitos and Zambada loyalists unwilling to concede control of the cartel’s lucrative empire.
The Mexican government, for its part, faces an uphill battle in its efforts to restore order. The deployment of additional troops to Sinaloa may provide temporary relief, but it does little to address the deeper issues at play, such as poverty, corruption, and the pervasive influence of organized crime.
Moreover, the complex relationship between Mexico and the United States will continue to shape the dynamics of the drug trade and cartel violence. Both countries share a responsibility to address the root causes of the conflict, whether through coordinated security efforts, reducing the flow of weapons into Mexico, or tackling the demand for drugs in the U.S.
In the meantime, the people of Sinaloa are left to endure the devastating consequences of the ongoing power struggle. Families have been torn apart, communities have been terrorized, and the once-thriving region has become a battleground in a war with no clear end in sight.