The Mexican army troops killed 19 suspected drug cartel gunmen in a shootout in the northern state of Sinaloa, with no casualties on the army’s side. This incident comes as a part of ongoing conflicts between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel. The troops detained a top lieutenant of the “Mayitos” faction before the confrontation, though the suspect’s name was not disclosed. The Defense Department claimed that troops were attacked by over 30 assailants, with 19 of them being killed in the crossfire, while at least 11 managed to escape. The soldiers are said to have acted in self-defense, following the rule of law and respecting human rights, with 17 rifles and four machine guns being seized at the scene.
The recent surge in fighting began when Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, an imprisoned drug lord, claimed he was forced aboard an airplane on July 25 by Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman. Guzmán López is a leader of the rival “Chapitos” cartel faction. This incident has led to infighting within the Sinaloa cartel, resulting in the violent confrontations seen recently. The shootout in Sinaloa was the most one-sided event since the killing of 22 suspects by soldiers in 2014 in the State of Mexico. An investigation later revealed that several of the suspects were executed after surrendering, leading to arrests and charges of abuse of authority against some soldiers involved.
The ruling Morena party has criticized past administrations for having lopsided death tolls in which many suspects died but no soldiers, insinuating that these instances were executions or rights abuses. The confrontation in Sinaloa highlights the ongoing struggle between the government and drug cartels in Mexico, with the army taking action against criminals despite the risks involved. The area around the state capital, Culiacan, has been particularly affected by cartel violence, with ongoing battles taking place between rival factions. The Defense Department emphasized that the soldiers acted within the boundaries of the law and respected human rights during the clash, despite the high number of casualties among the gunmen.
The Defense Department reported that 19 suspected cartel gunmen were killed in the shootout, with the soldiers seizing a significant number of firearms at the scene, including a .50-caliber sniper rifle. The army’s ability to successfully engage and neutralize such a large number of assailants without incurring any casualties is a testament to their training and readiness for combat situations. The government faces challenges in combating drug cartels and organized crime groups that operate throughout Mexico, and incidents like the one in Sinaloa underscore the dangers that both law enforcement and military personnel face when confronting these criminal elements.
The violence in Mexico, particularly in states like Sinaloa, highlights the ongoing struggle against drug cartels and the need for continued efforts to disrupt their operations and bring those responsible to justice. The recent surge in confrontations between rival factions within the Sinaloa cartel has further complicated the security situation in the region, leading to increased tensions and violence. The Mexican government’s response to these incidents will be closely watched, with a focus on ensuring that human rights are respected and that those involved in criminal activities are held accountable. The clash in Sinaloa serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those working to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico.
