The Mexican military was attacked and roads were blocked as violence erupted in the northern state of Sinaloa, home to one of the country’s most powerful drug cartels.
The Sinaloa State Security Secretariat confirmed attacks around the state capital Culiacan, a stronghold of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Gunmen attacked a military patrol in the Penasco area on the outskirts of the city, while roadblocks were erected in the neighbouring community of Limon de Los Ramos.
State Governor Ruben Rocha claimed the attackers set fire to two vehicles “with the aim of blocking authorities.” There were concerns that more widespread violence could erupt in Sinaloa after recent arrests of local drug lords.
In July, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of El Chapo, allegedly abducted Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, an older kingpin from a rival faction of the cartel. Guzman Lopez planned to surrender and took the older Zambada with him for unknown reasons. Both were detained in El Paso, Texas.
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Mexican authorities believe Zambada’s kidnapping may have been linked to the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, another El Chapo son detained in January 2023 before being extradited to the United States. On Thursday, Mexico’s public prosecutor’s office called on US authorities to “urgently” clarify the legal status and whereabouts of Ovidio Guzman.
US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on 26 July that Ovidio Guzman remained in US custody, without specifying his whereabouts. Experts, including former US Drug Enforcement Administration agent Mike Vigil, suspect that Guzman Lopez abandoned Zambada in exchange for favours for himself and his brother Ovidio.
Zambada appeared in a Texas court this month in a wheelchair and pleaded not guilty to charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder. Guzman Lopez was transferred to Chicago where he denied the drug trafficking charges. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
Only one of El Chapo’s sons, Ivan Archivaldo, is still at large. The US has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
