A major demonstration took place in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state in northern Mexico, as residents called for an end to ongoing violence plaguing the region. The gathering drew thousands of participants who wore white clothing and carried signs and photographs of missing relatives, voicing their desire for peace rather than fear.
The conflict erupted after the arrest of prominent drug trafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States. His supporters, known as La Mayiza, have engaged in sustained warfare against Los Chapitos, a rival faction led by members of the Sinaloa cartel’s founding family. The two groups have perpetrated ambushes, drive-by shootings, roadblocks, and vehicle fires, contributing to a dramatic surge in murders, disappearances, extortions, and robberies throughout the state. With a population exceeding three million, Sinaloa residents have borne the brunt of this internal cartel conflict.
The demonstration on Sunday, coordinated to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the violence’s onset, included participation from victims’ families, business associations, civic organizations, and the Catholic Church. Church officials called for the warring groups to cease their activities, emphasizing that no amount of power, money, or territory justified the loss of human life. Business leaders reported significant economic devastation, with more than 5,000 establishments shuttering since the feud began.
The event was marked by tragic incidents underscoring the civilian toll, including the recent death of a one-year-old child caught in crossfire during a shootout. The state has simultaneously experienced political instability, with the governor facing accusations from US prosecutors regarding drug smuggling allegations and subsequently taking multiple leaves of absence.
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