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- Military attacked, roads blocked in Mexican cartel stronghold (newsbreak.com)
Recent reports from Sinaloa, Mexico, indicate an outbreak of violence affecting military personnel and causing disruptions on major roadways. These incidents began just north of Culiacan, the state capital, famous for housing the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel. The violence included the setting ablaze of vehicles to block roads, a tactic similar to past occurrences linked to the arrest of cartel leaders, although federal officials have yet to confirm any new arrests.
Images circulating in local media have shown the fiery blockades that have engulfed vehicles. This method is frequently employed by cartels to hinder security forces from accessing certain areas. The state’s Governor, Rubén Rocha, confirmed these violent acts and appealed for peace, yet did not provide further details on the motives or if there were any casualties.
Challenges continue as roadblocks emerged in another region connected to Ovidio Guzman, the son of the incarcerated kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was captured in January 2023 and subsequently extradited to the US. Another recent incident involved police clearing blockades near Limón de Los Ramos.
Despite these disturbances, the Secretary of Public Education in Sinaloa asserted that educational activities would proceed normally with schools operating on schedule.
In related developments, the arrest of influential Sinaloa cartel figures in the US has ignited fears of escalated conflict within the region. Notably, Joaquín Guzmán López, another son of El Chapo, was implicated in the controversial kidnapping of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a senior cartel figure from a competing faction, forcibly taking him to the US. This action is thought to be part of a strategy for Guzmán López to negotiate his surrender to US authorities, though the exact motives remain unclear.
Legal proceedings in the US are ongoing, with Zambada denying allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder in a Texas court. Meanwhile, Guzmán López faces trial in Chicago for related charges.
Of El Chapo’s sons, only Ivan Archivaldo remains at large, with the US offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. These developments highlight continuing efforts by both Mexican and US authorities to tackle the powerful cartel’s influence.
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- Military attacked, roads blocked in Mexican cartel stronghold (newsbreak.com)