Ten people, including a suspected drug lord wanted by the United States, were killed over the weekend in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, in what authorities and local media are reporting as a series of violent incidents linked to the recent capture of notorious drug trafficker Ismael “Mayo” Zambada. The string of murders has prompted a significant security response, with the deployment of 600 soldiers to the region.
Violence Erupts Following High-Profile Arrest
The weekend saw an eruption of violence, with four murders reported on Friday and six more on Saturday, according to Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya. The killings are believed to be connected to the arrest of Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, on July 25. Both individuals were apprehended after their private plane landed in New Mexico, an event that has been shrouded in controversy and denial from both the Mexican and U.S. governments regarding any premeditated operation.
Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, a historic leader and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel alongside “El Chapo” Guzmán, has been a central figure in Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape for decades. In a recent letter, Zambada claimed that he was betrayed and handed over to U.S. authorities by Guzmán López, who, according to Zambada, had invited him to a meeting with Governor Rocha. The governor has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he was in Los Angeles at the time of the alleged meeting.
Targeted Killings Raise Concerns of Escalating Violence
One of the victims of the weekend’s violence has been identified by local media as Martín García Corrales, a suspected close collaborator of Zambada. The U.S. government had placed a $4 million bounty on García Corrales for his alleged role in trafficking fentanyl and possession of machine guns and other “destructive devices.” While Governor Rocha did not confirm García Corrales’ death, the U.S. State Department had previously identified him as a key ally of Zambada, a claim bolstered by the substantial reward offered for his capture.
In response to the surge in violence, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador addressed the nation, expressing hope that the situation in Sinaloa would not deteriorate further. He emphasized that despite the recent uptick in violence, the state had remained relatively stable since Zambada’s capture. However, the deployment of 600 soldiers to Culiacán, the state capital, reflects the government’s concern over potential escalations in violence.
Military Presence Amplified as Tensions Rise
The arrival of military forces in Culiacán marks the second major deployment to the region following Zambada’s arrest. Armed with high-caliber weapons, the soldiers have been patrolling the city’s main streets, a visible show of force aimed at deterring further violence. The move comes as authorities brace for a possible power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel, between the faction once led by Zambada and the group known as “Los Chapitos,” comprised of El Chapo’s sons.
In the days following Zambada’s arrest, 200 special forces were initially deployed to the area in anticipation of a violent dispute between rival factions. Despite Zambada’s public plea for calm in a letter released by his defense on August 10, security experts remain skeptical of his intentions. Mike Vigil, a former DEA agent with extensive experience in Mexico, has questioned Zambada’s sudden appeal for peace, pointing out his long history of orchestrating violence. Vigil suggests that Guzmán López’s betrayal may have been motivated by personal gain, including potential leniency for himself and his brother Ovidio, who was recently extradited to the United States.
Political Fallout and Legal Controversies
The fallout from Zambada’s arrest has not been limited to the criminal underworld. Sara Bruna Quiñónez, the head of the Attorney General’s Office of Sinaloa (FGES), resigned last Friday following widespread criticism of her handling of the investigation into the murder of elected deputy Héctor Cuén. Cuén was killed on July 25, the same day Zambada was captured. While Quiñónez’s office initially attributed Cuén’s death to an attempted robbery, Zambada has claimed that Cuén was killed during the encounter that led to his kidnapping and eventual handover to U.S. authorities.
Quiñónez’s resignation highlights the deepening political and legal complexities surrounding Zambada’s capture. The controversy has cast a shadow over the state’s law enforcement and judicial processes, raising concerns about the integrity of ongoing investigations related to drug trafficking and associated violence.