Thousands march in Culiacán demanding end to Sinaloa cartel violence

September 14, 2026 at 04:28 PM2 min

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Thousands of residents marched in Culiacán on Sunday demanding an end to violence that has plagued Sinaloa since a cartel feud erupted two years ago. The protest, organized by victims' families, businesses, civil groups, and the Catholic church, coincided with the second anniversary of the conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza. More than 5,000 businesses have closed since the feud began, according to businessman Sergio Esquer.

Key Facts

More than 5,000 businesses in Sinaloa have closed since the cartel feud began two years ago, according to businessman Sergio Esquer.
The protest on Sunday was organized by relatives of victims, local businesses, civil society groups, and the Catholic church.
The march coincided with the second anniversary of the conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, which broke out after the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the US.
In April, US prosecutors accused Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha and nine other current and former officials of conspiring with Los Chapitos to smuggle drugs into the US.

The Protest

Residents dressed in white held posters of missing loved ones and signs reading "We don't want fear, we want peace" at the protest on Sunday. The event started with a Mass in which the bishop of Culiacán called on members of the warring groups to put an end to their violence. Among those who attended were relatives of a one-year-old boy who died after being hit by a bullet in the head during a shootout in the city last week.

Cartel Conflict

The feud broke out after the arrest of wanted drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the US. His followers, La Mayiza, allege he was betrayed by the son of the infamous founder of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, and have turned on members of his faction, Los Chapitos. The two factions regularly carry out ambushes, drive-by shootings and erect roadblocks by hijacking trucks, which they set alight. Official figures suggest that not only murders and disappearances have shot up in the state, but also extortions and robberies.

Political Upheaval

In April, US prosecutors accused Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha and nine other current and former officials of conspiring with Los Chapitos to smuggle drugs into the US. Rocha, who has denied any wrongdoing, stepped down temporarily while Mexican prosecutors opened an investigation of their own into the allegations. Three weeks ago, he returned to his post, but just days later requested another leave of absence after President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media, without directly naming him, that "power without principles becomes arrogance".