Mexican President Points Finger at U.S. for Cartel Violence Escalation

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador points fingers at the U.S. for the surge in Sinaloa cartel violence, as the death toll rises and civilians live in fear.

At a Glance

At least 30 people have died in the past week due to clashes between Sinaloa cartel factions.
López Obrador blames U.S. operations for destabilizing the region.
Violence erupted after the arrest of two cartel leaders in the U.S. in late July.
Schools and businesses in Culiacan are disrupted as residents fear escalating violence.
The situation has strained U.S.-Mexico relations and raised questions about López Obrador’s “hugs not bullets” policy.

Mexican President Blames U.S. for Cartel Violence Surge

In a surprising turn of events, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has directly accused the United States of responsibility for the recent surge in cartel violence plaguing the northern state of Sinaloa. The president’s claims come as the region grapples with a wave of bloodshed that has left at least 30 people dead in the past week alone.

López Obrador’s accusations stem from the U.S. arrest of two high-profile Sinaloa cartel leaders in late July. The Mexican president argues that these operations, particularly the capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, were conducted without proper coordination with Mexican authorities and have destabilized the region.

Mexican president blames the U.S. for bloodshed in Sinaloa as cartel violence surges https://t.co/aF9ixKHbFw

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 20, 2024

Cartel Chaos Engulfs Culiacan

The aftermath of these arrests has been catastrophic for the citizens of Culiacan, the capital city of Sinaloa. Two warring factions of the Sinaloa cartel have turned the streets into a battleground, causing widespread panic and disruption to daily life. Schools have reopened, but many parents are too frightened to send their children, fearing they may be caught in the crossfire.

“Where is the security for our children, for ourselves too, for all citizens? It’s so dangerous here, you don’t want to go outside,” one Culiacan mother shared her fears.

The situation has become so dire that businesses are closing early, and few people venture out after dark. The Mexican military has been deployed, with helicopters patrolling the skies over northern Culiacan, but the violence continues unabated.

U.S.-Mexico Relations Under Strain

López Obrador’s accusations have further strained the already tense relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. The Mexican president has been vocal in his criticism of what he perceives as unilateral actions by the U.S., stating, “There cannot be a cooperative relationship if they take unilateral decisions.”

This latest diplomatic spat comes on the heels of López Obrador’s previous decision to pause relations with U.S. and Canadian embassies, highlighting the growing rift between the neighboring countries. The situation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in combating cartel violence and drug trafficking.

“Hugs Not Bullets” Policy Under Fire

As the violence escalates, López Obrador’s controversial “hugs not bullets” strategy for dealing with cartels has come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that this approach, which emphasizes social programs over direct confrontation with cartels, has failed to curb the violence and may have emboldened criminal organizations.

The president’s recent plea for cartels to “act responsibly” has been met with skepticism, as the violence continues unabated. The Sinaloa cartel, known for its sophisticated tactics including the use of IEDs, armored vehicles, and drones, shows no signs of backing down.

As Culiacan residents live in fear and U.S.-Mexico relations deteriorate, the effectiveness of López Obrador’s approach to cartel violence is increasingly called into question. With no clear resolution in sight, the people of Sinaloa remain caught in the crossfire of a conflict that threatens to spiral further out of control.