Sinaloa cartel’s internal power struggle escalates as “Los Chapitos” desecrate graves of rivals’ family members.
At a Glance
- A bitter feud between Sinaloa Cartel families has led to grave desecration
- Conflict intensified after the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada
- El Chapo’s sons, “Los Chapitos,” target those who cooperated with U.S. authorities
- Violence and public gunfights have increased in Culiacán
- The desecration of tombs indicates deep enmity within the cartel
Cartel Conflict Turns Personal
The Sinaloa cartel, once a unified force in the drug trafficking world, is now embroiled in a vicious internal conflict. Following the capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known as “Los Chapitos,” have escalated their retaliation against Zambada loyalists. This power struggle has taken a disturbing turn with the desecration of family graves, a tactic aimed at psychologically devastating their opponents.
The conflict has shattered the fragile alliance between the Zambadas, Guzmans, and other cartel factions. In Sinaloa, where elaborate tombs often resemble small churches or apartments, at least two grave desecrations have occurred. In one instance, the remains of Zambada’s relatives were reportedly removed from their resting place, signaling the depths of animosity between the warring factions.
Escalating Violence and Legal Troubles
As the internal strife intensifies, Culiacán has become a battleground with regular gunfights and public displays of violence. The streets that once witnessed the cartel’s unified power now bear witness to its fractured state. Meanwhile, legal troubles mount for key figures in the conflict. Joaquín Guzmán López and his brother Ovidio are currently engaged in plea negotiations related to multiple drug trafficking indictments.
“Nothing can be solved by violence,” El Mayo reportedly said.
The irony of El Mayo’s statement is not lost in the context of the cartel’s brutal tactics. Despite such proclamations, the violence continues unabated, with grave desecration being just one of the many shocking strategies employed in this power struggle.
A History of Brutal Tactics
The desecration of graves is not without precedent in cartel conflicts. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, targeting other cartel figures like Arturo Beltrán Leyva. The family mausoleum of Dámaso López Nuñez and his son, former allies of El Chapo, has also been destroyed in this latest wave of violence.
“The most sacred thing is life, we have to take care of it, protect it,” said Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
President López Obrador’s statement stands in stark contrast to the brutal reality of cartel violence. As the government struggles to contain the conflict, the cartel’s disregard for life extends beyond the living to the sanctity of the dead.
Implications Beyond the Cartel
The ripple effects of this internal strife extend beyond the cartel’s immediate circle. López Serrano, a figure embroiled in the conflict, faces accusations of fentanyl trafficking and is wanted by Mexican authorities for the murder of journalist Javier Valdez. Valdez, known for his courageous coverage of crime, was killed in 2017, allegedly by López Serrano’s faction.
The targeting of journalists like Valdez highlights the far-reaching consequences of cartel violence on Mexican society. Calls for López Serrano to stand trial in Mexico for Valdez’s murder underscore the ongoing issues of impunity in attacks against journalists, a problem that continues to plague the country.
As the Sinaloa cartel’s internal war rages on, it leaves in its wake not only desecrated graves and shattered alliances but also a trail of violence that affects innocent civilians and threatens the very fabric of Mexican society. The once-powerful cartel’s descent into internal chaos serves as a grim reminder of the destructive nature of the drug trade and the urgent need for effective strategies to combat organized crime.