Living on the Edge: Culiacán’s Struggle with Cartel Violence
A City in Turmoil
Culiacán, a bustling city in Mexico’s Sinaloa state, has become a battleground for two feuding factions of the Sinaloa cartel. The once-peaceful city, now home to a million residents, is gripping with fear as violence escalates. The cartel’s dominance has shattered, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire. Each day begins with uncertainty, as residents check for shootout alerts, and children are taught to drop to the ground at the sound of gunfire. The city’s routines have been disrupted, with schools frequently closing and funerals limited to early morning hours.
The Origins of the Conflict
The violence erupted in September, after Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a senior cartel leader, was kidnapped and taken to the U.S., leading to a power struggle between factions allied with Zambada and those linked to Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán’s sons. This breakdown of the cartel’s unspoken truce with civilians has resulted in carjackings, kidnappings, and innocent bystanders being caught in the crossfire. The city’s landscape is now marked by cartel roadblocks where gunmen inspect cell phones for any sign of contact with opposing factions. Government data reports over 900 killings since September, a stark escalation in violence.
Fear and Disappearance
Residents live in constant fear, with many forced to impose strict security measures. A small business owner restricts his son’s movements and tracks his cell phone in real-time. His 7-year-old daughter’s plea, "Dad, am I going to be able to go to school today?" reflects the anxiety pervasive among children. The disappearance of Julio Héctor Carrillo, a man who reportedly violated a self-imposed curfew, underscores the climate of fear. His family’s search, conducted discreetly online, highlights the dangers of openly seeking help. Miguel Calderón of the State Public Security Council notes the surge in disappearances, a crisis unmatched in the past 30 to 40 years.
U.S. Influence and Policy Shifts
TheU.S. pressure, particularly from former President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs and his emphasis on combating drug trafficking, has significantly influenced Mexico’s response. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has adopted a more aggressive stance, increasing security operations and seizures. In December, over a ton of fentanyl was seized, a stark contrast to the 286 pounds confiscated in the first half of 2024. Authorities have dismantled synthetic drug labs and removed hundreds of cartel surveillance cameras. While the role of U.S. intelligence remains unclear, these actions signal a shift in Mexico’s strategy.
Grief and Resilience
The humanitarian toll of the violence is evident in the stories of loss. A 55-year-old woman recently attended a Mass for her son-in-law, killed by a stray bullet, and expressed the daily uncertainty of returning home safely. In a rare public protest, thousands marched after a carjacking claimed the lives of a father and his two sons. These incidents have galvanized a collective anguish and social anger, challenging the historical view of the cartel as protectors.
Toward Peace and Healing
Efforts to rebuild peace are underway, with schools conducting shootout drills and NGOs leading workshops to help children articulate their fears. Principal Victor Manuel Aispuro’s daily decision to open his school highlights the challenges of education amidst violence. Miguel Calderón hopes that the current crisis will dismantle the complicity between civilians and the cartel, fostering a new era of collective action. While the road to peace is fraught with obstacles, the resilience of Culiacán’s residents offers a glimmer of hope for a safer future.
