1. A City Under Siege: Life Amidst the Cartel Warfare
Culiacán, a city of one million residents in the Sinaloa state of Mexico, has become a battleground for two rival factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel. The city, once considered safe under the cartel’s control, is now plagued by constant violence, disrupting daily life. Residents live in fear as shootouts, kidnappings, and carjackings have become commonplace. An elementary school principal begins each day by checking for danger on his phone, often suspending classes to protect students. The once vibrant social life, with bands playing at parties, has shifted to musicians performing at intersections for survival. Every loud noise sends children seeking cover, a stark contrast to the normalcy they once knew.
2. The Spark That Ignited the Chaos
The turmoil began in September after Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the cartel’s leader, was allegedly kidnapped by a son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. This act broke the cartel’s unspoken rule of not targeting innocent civilians, leading to a power struggle that intensified the violence. Carjackings, kidnappings, and crossfire incidents skyrocketed, with over 900 killings reported since September. Anonymity is crucial for residents, who fear retaliation. The city’s current state reflects the fracture of a once-stable criminal empire, now grappling with internal conflict and external pressure.
3. Innocent Lives Caught in the Crossfire
The brunt of the violence is borne by ordinary people. Julio Héctor Carrillo, a 34-year-old, vanished after ignoring a curfew, his fate unknown. His family, fearing attention, avoids public searches, relying instead on social media. A search collective found a body pending DNA testing, a grim reminder of the many disappeared. Miguel Calderón of the State Public Security Council notes an unprecedented rise in missing persons, a crisis unseen in decades.
Children are deeply affected; a 7-year-old asks daily if school is safe, while a 9-year-old and his father were killed in a carjacking that sparked public outrage. These stories highlight the emotional toll on families and the erosion of trust in the cartel, once seen as protectors.
4. The Role of the U.S. in Shaping Mexico’s Drug War
The U.S., particularly under President Trump, has influenced Mexico’s approach to the cartel. Trump’s threats, including tariffs, pressured Mexico to act. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration intensified efforts against the Sinaloa cartel, focusing on fentanyl. Seizures of over a ton of fentanyl in December and dismantling 113 drug labs in February reflect these efforts. U.S. intelligence may have played a role, though specifics remain unclear.
Local residents express gratitude for U.S. pressure, acknowledging the impact on cartel operations. A grieving mother and a beer store owner illustrate the Human cost and tentative hope that the violence may subside.
5. A Glimmer of Hope: Combined Efforts Against the Cartels
Recent months have seen increased security operations and arrests, with federal supervision enhancing effectiveness. Journalist Ismael Bojórquez notes the unprecedented scale of these efforts. Authorities have removed over 400 cartel surveillance cameras, undermining their control. While these actions weaken the cartels, sustained pressure is essential for lasting change.
Victor Manuel Aispuro, a school principal, oversees active shooter drills, highlighting the new reality. His school’s sparse attendance and frequent closures underscore the human cost. The community’s resilience shines through, with nongovernmental organizations leading workshops to help children cope with fear.
6. Building Hope: Community Efforts to Overcome Fear
Culiacán’s residents are working to rebuild peace, confronting fear and anger through collective efforts. Parents impose strict safety protocols, tracking children’s movements and limiting activities. Workshops where children express their fears—of gunshots, extortion—offer a path to healing. Miguel Calderón believes this shared anguish could erode the cartel’s influence, fostering a community determined to move beyond its troubled past.
In Culiacán, hope is fragile but present. As residents navigate this perilous time, their resilience and solidarity may pave the way for a future where children can attend school without fear, and life can return to a semblance of normalcy.
