Culiacán in crisis: the war between cartels unleashes fear and violence.

The situation in Culiacán, the capital of the state of Sinaloa, has reached alarming levels of violence in recent days, marking a new chapter in the long history of struggle between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. The conflict intensified following the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the United States, an event that has sparked an open feud between his group, known as La Mayiza, and Los Chapitos, led by the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. In less than two weeks since the start of this war, at least 43 people have lost their lives, including civilians and military personnel, in a cycle of violence that seems endless.

The arrest of "El Mayo" on July 25 has been a devastating blow to his faction. Until that day, Zambada, 76, had evaded capture for decades, becoming one of the most feared and respected drug traffickers worldwide. However, his arrest was not merely the result of a police operation; Zambada claims to have been a victim of betrayal by Joaquín Guzmán López himself, who allegedly kidnapped him to hand him over to the authorities.

In a revealing letter, "El Mayo" describes how he was ambushed and taken on a private plane to El Paso, Texas, where he was arrested. This account has further fueled tensions between the cartel factions, as it is perceived that Guzmán López's betrayal has left deep wounds. The war now raging in Culiacán seems to be a direct response to this betrayal and to the sense of vulnerability left by Zambada's capture.

Since September 9, Culiacán has experienced moments of terror. The clashes began with a coordinated attack on several strategic points related to Los Chapitos, unleashing a flood of gunfire and armed attacks. The streets, once a reflection of everyday life in the city, have turned into a battlefield, with convoys of armed men attacking their enemies and instilling fear among the civilian population.

The impact on the daily lives of Culiacán residents has been devastating. Many schools and businesses have closed their doors in an attempt to protect their students and workers. Residents find themselves trapped in a state of collective psychosis, where the fear of going out onto the streets has become the norm. “It’s like we’ve gone back to the pandemic,” confesses a woman living in the city, describing how the streets empty as night falls, creating an informal curfew.

The government of the state of Sinaloa has sent troops to try to contain the violence, but the efforts have been fruitless. As the clashes intensify, the population faces a growing crisis of anxiety and stress, while gunfire and vehicle burnings have become daily news. The situation is further complicated by a lack of trust in the authorities, who downplay the severity of the events, leaving citizens even more vulnerable.

Far from being a mere local conflict, the war between the different factions of the cartel has highlighted the weaknesses and fractures in the fight against drug trafficking in Mexico. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has pointed to the United States as co-responsible for the violence in Sinaloa, arguing that Zambada's arrest was carried out without considering the impact it would have on the region. “You cannot act like this, without taking the Government of Mexico into account,” the president emphasized in his morning conference.

As the bullets continue to fly in Culiacán, the situation seems to be heading towards an even more violent cycle. The creation of alliances between different cartel factions, as evidenced in the meeting prior to the start of the war, is fueling a climate of retaliation that could lead to an increase in casualties and greater instability in the region. Promises of revenge and the pursuit of power are the order of the day, further blurring the lines between organized crime and the everyday lives of citizens.

The lack of an effective plan by the authorities to manage this crisis has left the population in a state of despair. Images of extreme violence, such as bodies abandoned in the streets as a calling card of the war between cartels, are a chilling reminder of the reality in which the inhabitants of Culiacán live. The war between "El Mayo" and Los Chapitos is just the latest episode of a conflict that has left deep scars on Mexican society and, unfortunately, shows no signs of abating.

With the arrival of new days, uncertainty persists in Culiacán. How far will the cartels go in their struggle for power? What role will the authorities play in this chaotic scenario? For now, the echoes of war resonate in every corner of the city, marking a new and dark chapter in the history of drug trafficking in Mexico.