Mexican President points to US role in surge of violence in Sinaloa

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated Thursday that the U.S. government bears partial responsibility for a wave of violence in northwestern Sinaloa state, which has resulted in nearly 50 murders and numerous disappearances in recent weeks.

During a press conference, Lopez Obrador referred to the July 25 arrest of Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as “El Mayo,” a prominent leader of the Sinaloa cartel, by U.S. security agencies in El Paso, Texas. The president suggested that this action has ignited a violent power struggle among various criminal factions vying for control.

When asked if the U.S. was “co-responsible” for the violence, Lopez Obrador responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes, of course it is…For having carried out the operation.”

Zambada’s arrest has reportedly been characterized as a setup by Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who was once Zambada’s partner. According to a statement from Zambada’s lawyer, the 76-year-old drug lord claimed that he was ambushed, beaten, and then handed over to U.S. authorities without the knowledge of the Mexican government.

Lopez Obrador emphasized the need for accountability, noting, “And that requires an explanation because if we are now facing a situation of instability and confrontation in Sinaloa, it is (partly) due to that decision.”

Since September 9, Sinaloa has seen a surge in violence, with authorities reporting 47 murders and around 60 disappearances linked to the ensuing chaos. The Mexican government has maintained that this violence stems directly from Zambada’s arrest, which has intensified the ongoing power struggle between his loyalists and factions led by El Chapo’s sons, collectively known as the Chapitos.