More than 100 dead or missing
Some 53 people have been killed and 51 others are missing in Sinaloa since rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel began clashing in early September, local authorities said Friday.
The conflict between the two most powerful groups in the cartel began in July, when the legendary drug trafficker and leader of one of those groups, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, was arrested in the United States.
The iconic 74-year-old drug lord claims that a high-ranking member of the other faction, “Los Chapitos,” forced him to board a plane that took him to the United States against his will.
Since the clashes erupted on Sept. 9, shootings have disrupted life in the state capital, Culiacan, with schools forced to close for some days and restaurants and shops cutting operating hours.
Sinaloa Security Secretary Gerardo Mérida said on Friday that More than 40 people have been arrested in recent days.
The Mexican military, which has struggled to quell the violence, arrested yesterday an alleged security chief for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, leader of “Los Chapitos” and son of jailed former drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Fernando Pérez, known as “El Piyi,” was captured in Culiacán, according to a federal security source.
Meanwhile, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) reported that it was providing funds to local authorities to feed a tigress tied to a tree. Powerful drug traffickers in Mexico often keep tigers and other exotic animals as pets.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Thursday that the United States was partly responsible for the instability, referring to alleged previous surrender talks between U.S. officials and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the drug trafficker accused of handing over Zambada.
U.S. officials have privately confirmed they held talks with Guzman, but U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said last month that U.S. officials were shocked to discover Zambada on U.S. soil.
With information from Reuters.
