Death Toll in Sinaloa Turf Wars Tops 90 as Violence Shows no Signs of Abating

The amount of deaths as a result of turf wars between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel keeps increasing, with the toll now surpassing 90. 16 killings took place in the past two days, according to local media.

The count takes September 9 as the starting date, when the "Chapitos," who answer to Joaquín, "El Chapo" Guzmán and the "Mayiza," loyal to recently-captured Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada intensified their clashes.

Overall, the amount of murders between January and September has surpassed 400, already close to the 435 recorded in 2022. September has been by far the most violent month in the state, almost doubling January's 51.

Ciudad Obregón in southern Sonora has seen a sharp rise in violence, with residents reporting a heightened sense of fear. Journalists on the ground describe a tense atmosphere. The federal government has sent hundreds of troops to the area in an attempt to mitigate violence, but the general population is struggling to maintain daily life.

In Culiacán, a recent military operation resulted in the death of a local lawyer, who was mistakenly identified as an armed suspect. The incident has further fueled public outrage, with residents expressing frustration over the growing instability.

The turf war has already spilled over to other states in northern Mexico, including Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, and Durango. It is also the case in Jalisco, where the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) claimed responsibility for a large explosion at a public events in the city of Zacatecas during the weekend, which resulted in 20 people being injured and police cars damaged.

It was reportedly a message to the state governor, accused by the cartel of allowing the entry of the "Mayiza" into the territory.

The explosion took place at the Zacatecas national fair, where about 25,000 people were listening to a concert. Attendants recall the explosion a smoke rising from the stands. The event initially didn't stop, but singer Julión Álvarez addressed it shortly after.

"Did you hear? Law enforcement, the military and all those taking care of security are looking at the issue. It seems like it was a gas tank in a food stand or a home. Stand by, we'll check and continue," he said. Despite authorities claiming the explosion was a result of a gas tank explosion, local outlet Dominio Público reported of an image where the cartel claims responsibility for it, saying it was a message to the governor."

"It was a wake up call to governor David who sold the state to those Mayos. Authorities, don't meddle in a war that is not yours. Zacatecas belongs to the four letters," the message adds, in reference to CJNG, the cartel's acronym.