Thousands of residents in Culiacán, Mexico, marched to demand an end to violence linked to a feud between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel, which has intensified over the past two years.
Thousands of people gathered in Culiacán on Sunday to demand an end to the violence that has plagued the city for two years. The protest took place on the second anniversary of the conflict, which began following the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the United States. The feud between two rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, has led to a significant increase in murders, disappearances, extortions, and robberies across the state of Sinaloa. The violence has deeply affected the lives of residents, with fear becoming a daily reality for many.
The demonstration was organized by relatives of missing persons, local businesses, civil society groups, and the Catholic Church. A local businessman reported that over 5,000 businesses have closed since the conflict began, highlighting the economic impact of the ongoing violence. The event started with a Mass, during which the bishop of Culiacán called on members of the warring factions to stop their violent actions. He urged them to consider the suffering of affected families, young people, and the city as a whole, emphasizing that no amount of power, money, or ambition is worth more than human life.
Why it matters
The violence has severely impacted Sinaloa's residents, with thousands of businesses closing and a significant increase in crime.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The response of local authorities and cartel factions to the public demand for an end to the violence.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.