In the last five months, Sinaloa has seen more than 800 murders due to an internal dispute within the Sinaloa Cartel, unleashed after the capture of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, co-founder of the criminal organization. The situation has led to a total of 803 homicides in the northwestern Mexican state, with 147 victims in January, adding to 157 in December, 174 in November, 182 in October, and 143 in September.
A prominent surgeon from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Dr. César Arturo Luna Lara, 62 years old, disappeared on February 21, raising fears for his life. The Colectivo de Sabuesas Guerreras has circulated a missing person's flyer, highlighting his reputation as a professional graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa in 1991. His family reported him missing after being unable to contact him since Friday at 01:30 hours.
In response to the escalation of violence, operations have been carried out in Culiacán, especially in areas such as La Campiña, Las Quintas, Tierra Blanca, and Culiacancito, following the detention of two prominent criminal leaders. For 48 hours, military forces have surrounded these areas with the aim of capturing Kevin Alonso Castro Gil, known as 'El 200', and José Ángel Canobbio, nicknamed 'El Guerito', collaborators of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.
So far in February, the Sinaloa Prosecutor's Office has recorded 47 kidnappings, reflecting the seriousness and complexity of the situation in the region. The internal struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel and the subsequent power disputes are having a devastating impact on Sinaloa society, with an alarming number of lives lost and enforced disappearances.
