The weekend in Mazatlán was marked by violent situations that forced the city council to ask citizens to take shelter in their homes. One of the consequences of the shootings was the death of a man inside a bulletproof Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a taxi driver was injured during the same events, which took place on Óscar Pérez Escobosa Avenue, in the El Venadillo area.
Sinaloa's Secretary of Public Security, Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, reported in a press conference that a confrontation between criminal groups erupted in Mazatlán on Sunday night, resulting in one person deceased, who was found in an armored vehicle with a long gun and tactical gear. The gunfire lasted for several minutes across five neighborhoods in the city.
Violence in Sinaloa, triggered by a war between drug trafficking groups that started about 50 days ago, has increased in intensity in the port. On Saturday, various shootings were reported in several locations in Mazatlán, and during the night, a motorcyclist was murdered in Martiniano Carvajal Park, located on Avenida del Mar.
On Sunday, gunfire was heard again in different areas of the city, generating fear among the population. The anguished cries of a child were even recorded during one of the incidents at a taco place. A shopping plaza with 20 shops was evacuated after threats of arson were made if they did not vacate the place within 24 hours. Merchants sought protection from the authorities, who sent soldiers and national guards to ensure safety while they collected their belongings.
Authorities managed to control the various violent incidents in Sinaloa with the intervention of federal forces. The escalation of violence in the region is a clear reflection of the dispute between organized crime groups that has put the population and local authorities on alert.
