The state of Sinaloa in Mexico has experienced a surge in violence with multiple shootings, deaths, and the grim discovery of several bodies. This heightened violence on a recent Wednesday resulted in the finding of two different sets of human remains and two individuals sustaining gunshot injuries. Sinaloa, situated in the northwest region of the country, has a long history of violence and gang activity, being known as the stronghold of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel.
Following the arrest of drug kingpin Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada in July 2024, homicide rates have sharply increased. Statistics show that murders have skyrocketed by over 400% since his apprehension, with authorities recording 883 homicides in Sinaloa during the first half of this year.
On the 8th of October, the region was struck by a series of brutal murders and assaults. Among the incidents, two men were found shot dead near a highway in Toboloto, Navolato. Additionally, a woman was fatally shot inside a residence in Las Mañanitas, and a man was discovered tied up and murdered in his home in Prados del Sur on the same day.
In the Terranova neighborhood of the Bugambilias area, a man was gunned down by unidentified attackers in a shopping mall parking lot. Another tragic incident occurred in the Aguaruto area, where a father lost his life and his son was injured during an attack at their home.
Furthermore, the State Commission for the Search for Missing Persons in Culiacán uncovered human remains, while another set of remains was found near the Mármol toll booth on the Mazatlán-Culiacán highway on the same day.
Earlier this year, on August 10, there were 17 homicides reported in a single day, equivalent to one every 85 minutes, making it the deadliest day of the year according to official Mexican government data.
Zambada, one of the founders of the drug cartel, admitted guilt to murder and drug trafficking in a New York court in August. Although his guilty plea spared him from the death penalty, he still faces potential life imprisonment pending sentencing. As part of the plea agreement, Zambada agreed to relinquish $15 billion. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed interest in having these funds directed towards assisting the impoverished population of her country, urging the US government to consider this allocation.
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