Violence Engulfs Culiacán as Rival Cartels Clash

In a significant escalation of security measures in Sinaloa, Governor Rubén Rocha Moya has announced the deployment of 100 new special forces from the Mexican Army, alongside the acquisition of advanced ground-air communication systems. These reinforcements are part of an ongoing effort to contain violence in the region, plagued by organized crime. The new strategy is aimed at intensifying coordinated security operations between local, state, and federal authorities.

The governor's announcement, made after a briefing with Major General Francisco Jesús Leana Ojeda, Commander of the Third Military Region, marks an important moment in the state’s fight against criminal groups. According to Rocha Moya, the arrival of these elite military units will complement the presence of more than 200 special forces already on the ground, with support from air forces deploying specialized aircraft such as the Texan planes and helicopters.

“We now have a total of 300 special forces working alongside the Air Force," Governor Rocha Moya stated, underscoring the depth of the coordinated efforts. "On Saturday, 600 additional troops arrived, and earlier we had already received 200 elements of the special forces. This is all part of a broader federal strategy that provides visible and active support to Sinaloa," he added, emphasizing the ongoing federal assistance.

Weapons, Vehicles, and Arrests

At a press briefing, General Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, Secretary of Public Security, provided a detailed summary of recent operations conducted between September 9 and 22. These operations, coordinated across all three levels of government, have yielded considerable results in Sinaloa’s capital, Culiacán. Three major properties linked to organized crime were seized, and authorities arrested 32 suspects. A staggering 89 vehicles were confiscated, including 16 armored vehicles and replicas of municipal and investigative police patrol cars. In addition, nine motorcycles—eight of which were cloned from state police vehicles—were seized.

Among the confiscated weaponry were 120 long firearms, 19 handguns, and four fragmentation grenades, along with an arsenal of 27,536 rounds of ammunition and 640 magazines. Tactical gear intended for violent confrontations was also recovered. These significant operations highlight the growing ability of Sinaloa’s security forces to disrupt criminal activity and dismantle organized crime networks in the region.

Governor Rocha Moya also underscored the importance of ensuring safety near educational institutions, citing the state’s school proximity operation as a notable success. In light of the security challenges, the initiative has provided much-needed reassurance to the local population, and 120 additional officers will be deployed to expand the program’s reach. Rocha Moya encouraged parents to continue sending their children to school, insisting that the government was taking proactive measures to safeguard educational facilities.

“We ask the parents to cooperate and send their children to school as usual,” the governor said. “The government is acting decisively, and we are neither silent nor paralyzed by the violence. The situation is under control, and we will continue responding effectively to any threats.”

Surge in Violence Amid Turf Wars

This reinforcement comes as violent clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel—Los Mayitos and Los Chapitos—have escalated dramatically in recent weeks. In response, a massive influx of 600 Mexican Army soldiers was sent to Culiacán to strengthen ongoing security operations. The conflict, which began on September 9, has led to significant bloodshed. Official data reveals that in the span of just 13 days, 67 people have been killed, and 54 remain missing. Authorities have also detained 41 individuals in connection with the violence.

The violence has been accompanied by frequent armed confrontations, with more than 30 reported incidents. The seizure of weapons and vehicles, including over 120 firearms and 30,000 rounds of ammunition, has further underscored the scale of the criminal activities in the area. Security forces have also impounded 75 vehicles, many of which were heavily armored to withstand combat with government forces.

Even with the increased military presence, violent incidents continue to shake Culiacán. On the day of the new deployment, eight homicides were recorded in the city. The most chilling incident occurred on the Mexico 15 highway, where five bodies, all wearing hats, were discovered outside a warehouse near a water park. The victims, men aged between 25 and 35, were found in various states of undress, some wearing only underwear and socks, while others were clothed in jeans and t-shirts. Authorities were alerted to the scene via a 911 call, but the bodies remain unidentified.

This was not the first time such a gruesome discovery had been made in the area. On September 15, a similar scene unfolded when 15 bodies, also wearing hats, were found at the same location.

Elsewhere in the city, two men believed to be brothers were found murdered on the La Costerita highway, with their hands bound. Another victim was executed in the Ejidal de Navolato neighborhood, adding to the body count in the ongoing conflict.

Escalating Confrontations

The situation took another deadly turn during an armed attack on municipal police patrolling the Parque Alameda de Tres Ríos neighborhood. The firefight, which lasted over two hours, resulted in the deaths of three suspected criminals, the injury of two soldiers, and the arrest of one civilian. Federal forces, working in conjunction with local authorities, managed to evacuate six adults and a minor from a building where the assailants had taken refuge. Despite suffering injuries, the federal forces were able to neutralize the attackers.

The assault began at 15:30 hours, near the Cuatro Ríos plaza and the Sinaloa Attorney General's Office, and was quickly met with a heavy security response, including patrols, dozens of agents, and aerial support from helicopters. Governor Rocha Moya reassured citizens that the situation was under control by 17:53 hours, though he urged them to avoid the area while authorities concluded their investigation.

The influx of federal troops into Sinaloa aligns with the Mexican government’s broader National Public Security Strategy and its policy of zero tolerance for impunity. The Ministry of National Defense issued a statement affirming that the new military deployments will be working closely with local and state authorities to curb crime and restore order.

The escalating violence in Sinaloa—long a stronghold for organized crime—demands a comprehensive approach, and the combination of military reinforcements and sophisticated coordination between government levels signals a new phase in the region's ongoing battle against powerful criminal cartels.

Governor Rocha Moya remains confident that these efforts will bear fruit. “We will continue responding effectively," he concluded. "This is not a situation where we will be overcome by criminal forces. We have the strength and determination to restore peace in Sinaloa.”

As Sinaloa’s security forces ramp up their operations and federal troops become more entrenched in the region, the immediate future remains tense. The success of this aggressive strategy will be measured by its ability to suppress the ongoing cartel warfare, protect civilians, and, ultimately, restore lasting peace to one of Mexico’s most volatile states. The stakes could not be higher for the people of Sinaloa, who find themselves at the epicenter of a struggle for control between the state and the cartels.