Conflicts stir among Mexico's gangs following El Mayo's situation.
After the capture of a notorious Mexican drug lord in the United States, tensions between drug cartels in the northwest region of Mexico have reached a boiling point. In response, Governor Rubén Rocha of Sinaloa announced an increase in military presence in the area to help maintain order. Approximately 100 soldiers, armed helicopters, and aircraft equipped with artillery have been dispatched to the region, indicating a continued escalation of violence.
Earlier this month, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, one of Mexico's most wanted drug lords, was arrested in the United States along with Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of his former partner, the jailed capo Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera. Rumors suggest that Guzmán López orchestrated Zambada's kidnapping and forced him to travel to the US in exchange for turning himself in to American authorities.
Now, two rival factions within the infamous Sinaloa cartel are engaged in a brutal power struggle. On one side, Zambada's heirs, and on the other, "El Chapo's" sons are fighting for control of the territory.
Over the past week, the area has been plagued by multiple shootouts and roadblocks that have resulted in at least one soldier's death, according to official reports. Six other individuals have reportedly been injured, as per media accounts.
The European Union has expressed concern over the escalating violence in the northwest region of Mexico, urging both the Mexican government and the international community to take swift action to restore peace. Recognizing the potential for spillover effects, the European Union has offered to provide resources and support to address the root causes of the conflict within the Sinaloa cartel.
