Culiacán, Sinaloa — The capital of Sinaloa was shaken once again as an intense armed confrontation unfolded in the early hours of September 9, 2024. Panic gripped the population, and federal authorities launched an immediate response, initially under the belief that it was an official operation. However, reports soon revealed that the violence stemmed from a brewing internal conflict between two rival factions of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel: Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.
According to law enforcement reports, the conflict left two individuals dead and two others injured. Journalists Luis Chaparro and Carlos Raeb Morales have detailed that the clash began with a heated argument between members of the two groups over radio communication, which rapidly escalated and spilled into the streets of Culiacán.
The outbreak of violence, while alarming, was reportedly not an isolated event but part of a larger power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel. Unofficial sources indicate that the first move in this latest skirmish was made by the faction led by Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as “El Mayito Flaco,” the son of cartel co-founder Ismael Zambada García.
Recording Exposes Escalation
A leaked recording circulating on social media features a man identified as “El Comanche,” one of Zambada Sicairos’ top security officials, issuing orders to target Los Chapitos, the faction led by the sons of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. “Send everyone who has anything to do with La Chapiza to hell,” the man in the recording can be heard saying. “Stay alert.”
This audio has further fueled speculations that the internal strife has escalated beyond mere disagreements and is now manifesting as open warfare between two of the cartel’s most powerful factions.
Who is ‘El Comanche’?
As the man behind the recent call to action, “El Comanche” has come into the spotlight. Although little is known about him, reports suggest that he is one of the key security chiefs for Zambada Sicairos. Journalists Luis Chaparro and Carlos Raeb Morales have highlighted that “El Comanche” is working closely with his brother, Oscar “El McKlein,” who also plays a critical role in the Zambada faction. Together, they are considered to be instrumental in leading the faction’s fight against Los Chapitos.
No publicly available photographs of “El Comanche” exist, and much of his personal details remain shrouded in secrecy. However, his influence in the Zambada faction appears undeniable as he acts as a major decision-maker in the current conflict.
Allies of ‘El Mayito Flaco’
Beyond “El Comanche” and “El McKlein,” Ismael Zambada Sicairos is said to be solidifying alliances as he positions himself to take control of the cartel in the wake of his father’s reduced role. After Ismael Zambada García’s arrest, “El Mayito Flaco” reportedly moved to Baja California, where he began seeking strategic partnerships.
According to investigative journalist Anabel Hernández, Zambada Sicairos has rallied the support of several key figures from families long associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. On her podcast, Narcosistema, Hernández provided insight into Zambada Sicairos’ growing coalition, which includes some of the most prominent names in the cartel world.
Among his main allies are:
- Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez, also known as “El Changuito Ántrax.” A key member of the hitman group “Los Ántrax,” Félix Núñez has been connected to Zambada García’s operations since the early 2000s. His reputation as an enforcer makes him a crucial ally for Zambada Sicairos.
- José Ángel Rivera Zazueta, or “El Flaco,” a man identified by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s leading fentanyl traffickers. Rivera Zazueta is believed to be Zambada García’s primary operator in Mexico City, wielding considerable influence both in Mexico and internationally due to his extensive financial and political connections.
- Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias “El Chapo Isidro,” a former Sinaloa Cartel member who now leads the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. Meza Flores, who is currently wanted by the FBI, is seen as a potential game-changer in the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal power struggle. His leadership of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel adds a formidable dimension to Zambada Sicairos’ faction.
Cartel Power Struggle Intensifies
The rivalry between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza highlights the increasingly volatile situation within the Sinaloa Cartel. The group’s once centralized leadership has splintered, with different factions vying for control over key territories and drug trafficking routes. Los Chapitos, led by the sons of “El Chapo” Guzmán, have long sought to maintain the influence and legacy left by their father. However, “El Mayito Flaco” and his faction appear determined to challenge their dominance.
This ongoing infighting comes at a time when Mexican authorities are struggling to contain violence linked to organized crime across the country. The growing tensions within the Sinaloa Cartel could further destabilize not only Sinaloa but also other regions where the cartel operates, including Baja California, Sonora, and parts of Mexico City.
Government Response
In response to the violence, federal authorities deployed a significant number of personnel to Culiacán in an attempt to quell the fighting. However, the sheer scale and intensity of the conflict suggest that this is only the beginning of what could be a protracted battle between these powerful cartel factions.
As this war between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza unfolds, experts are closely monitoring the situation, warning that the fallout could have significant implications for Mexico’s security landscape and the global drug trade. The consequences of this internal cartel struggle are likely to reverberate for months to come, as each faction seeks to consolidate power and expand its influence.
For now, the residents of Culiacán and other areas impacted by cartel violence remain on edge, as the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal war threatens to spiral further out of control.