Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has pointed fingers at the U.S. as the root cause of escalating cartel violence in Sinaloa, which recently claimed over 30 lives in just a week. In a Thursday briefing, he linked the surge in violence to the arrest of two major cartel leaders in the U.S.
Since the apprehension of Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the notorious Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in late July, rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have been clashing violently in Culiacán, a city with a population of 808,416. These turf wars have led to a series of brutal shootouts between armed groups and security forces.
López Obrador didn’t hold back when asked about the U.S. government’s role in the chaos, stating, “Yes, of course … for having carried out this operation.” He specifically cited the July 25 arrest of Guzmán López, who was taken into custody near El Paso, Texas, after allegedly kidnapping Zambada.
This conflict has raised tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations, especially after López Obrador announced a diplomatic “pause” with the U.S. and Canada following criticisms of his judicial reforms. The arrest of Zambada has intensified the internal power struggle within the cartel, causing military helicopters to patrol Culiacán as residents faced school closures and increased traffic issues.
One concerned mother expressed the worries many share, revealing that her daughter hasn’t been to school in weeks after their taxi was stopped by armed individuals. “It’s so dangerous here; you don’t want to go outside,” she lamented.
López Obrador also criticized the U.S. for the “totally illegal” operation that led to Zambada’s capture, suggesting it destabilized the region and calling for accountability. Some reports indicate that Mexican prosecutors may consider treason charges against those involved in the operation.
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum supported López Obrador’s viewpoint, stressing the need for communication and cooperation between the two nations. Despite López Obrador’s “hugs not bullets” mantra aimed at addressing cartel violence, the situation continues to worsen as his presidency approaches its conclusion.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.