The resignation of Gerardo Mérida Sánchez as Secretary of Security of Sinaloa was confirmed by the Secretary General of the Government, Feliciano Castro Meléndrez, during a press conference. However, he did not offer further details and noted that the state governor will issue his position in the coming hours.
The Diplomated Brigadier General of the General Staff, Óscar Rentería Schazarino, former commander of the 43rd Military Zone in Apatzingán, Michoacán, will assume the position as the new head of Security in the entity.
According to local media reports, Mérida Sánchez presented her resignation on the morning of December 20 to the governor, who accepted her departure. The now former official held the position for only 15 months.
The resignation occurs after months of clashes between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel: “Los Chapitos”, sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and “La Mayiza”, related to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. These conflicts, focused on territorial control, intensified after the capture of the last leader of the cartel by US authorities.
Mérida Sánchez’s departure also occurs hours before President Claudia Sheinbaum goes on a working tour of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, where she will lead a security cabinet meeting and later carry out the delivery of Wellbeing Programs.
General assumes office as Secretary of Security of Sinaloa
The Diplomated Brigadier General of the General Staff, Óscar Rentería Schazarino, swore in as Secretary of Public Security of Sinaloa.
The soldier was commander of the 43rd. Military Zone, installed in Apatzingán, Michoacán, and commander of the First Military Zone in Mexico City.
The governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha, took oath to the General, in an event attended by the federal Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch.
