Thousands March in Culiacán Demanding End to Sinaloa Cartel Violence

CULIACÁN — Thousands of residents took to the streets of Culiacán on Sunday to demand an end to the violence that has gripped Mexico’s Sinaloa state amid a two-year conflict between rival factions of the powerful Sinaloa cartel.

Dressed in white, protesters carried photographs and posters of missing relatives alongside messages calling for peace and an end to the fear that has become part of daily life in the northern Mexican state.

The march was organised to coincide with the second anniversary of the conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, two rival factions whose confrontation has contributed to a sharp rise in killings, disappearances and other crimes across Sinaloa.

Families Demand Peace

Many protesters carried photographs of relatives who have disappeared during the conflict, highlighting the human cost of the violence.

Among those attending were relatives of a one-year-old boy who was killed after being struck in the head by a bullet during a shootout in Culiacán the previous week.

The demonstration was organised by relatives of victims, local businesses, civil society organisations and the Catholic Church.

The event began with a Mass, during which the bishop of Culiacán appealed directly to members of the rival groups to end the bloodshed.

“Stop, look at what's happening, look at the affected families, look at the young people and at our city,” the bishop said. He added that no amount of power, money, territory or ambition was worth more than a human life.

Cartel Conflict Fuels Crisis

The conflict erupted after the arrest in the United States of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a veteran Sinaloa cartel leader.

Zambada’s followers, associated with La Mayiza, have alleged that he was betrayed by a son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the cartel’s notorious founder. The dispute subsequently developed into a violent confrontation with the faction known as Los Chapitos.

The rival groups have been accused of carrying out ambushes and drive-by shootings, while roadblocks have also been established through the hijacking and burning of vehicles.

Residents have increasingly found themselves caught between the factions, with official figures showing significant increases in murders, disappearances, extortion and robberies.

Businesses Hit by Violence

The violence has also taken a heavy toll on the local economy.

Businessman Sergio Esquer told AFP that more than 5,000 businesses had closed since the conflict began.

“That’s the tragedy Sinaloa is experiencing,” said Esquer, a leader in the centre-left opposition party Movimiento Ciudadano.

The closures have added to concerns over employment, investment and the broader economic impact of prolonged insecurity.

Political Tensions Add to Crisis

Sinaloa has also faced political turmoil alongside the security crisis.

In April, US prosecutors accused state Governor Rubén Rocha and nine other current and former officials of conspiring with Los Chapitos to smuggle drugs into the United States.

Rocha has denied wrongdoing. Mexican prosecutors subsequently opened their own investigation into the allegations.

The governor temporarily stepped aside before returning to office three weeks ago. Days later, however, he requested another leave of absence after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that “power without principles becomes arrogance”, without directly naming him.

The political developments have added another layer of uncertainty to a state already struggling with widespread insecurity.

Residents Seek an End to Violence

For those who marched through Culiacán, the protest was a public expression of frustration after two years of violence and loss.

The presence of families carrying photographs of missing loved ones underscored the continuing uncertainty faced by thousands of residents.

As the conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza continues, communities in Sinaloa are calling for authorities to restore security and for the rival factions to end a confrontation that has devastated lives, businesses and public confidence.