Life for the citizens of Sinaloa under cartel rule is marked by a complex interplay of fear, violence, and a perverse sense of order. The Sinaloa Cartel, despite its brutal methods, maintains a form of predictable control over the region, contrasting with other more chaotic criminal organizations like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Residents in areas controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel experience a "civilized" form of extortion and violence. Business owners, for instance, describe a more predictable and less aggressive system of payments, where cartel members demand regular but less frequent payments without overt displays of violence. This relative stability is seen as preferable to the constant threats and higher extortion rates experienced during times of conflict between rival cartels​.

However, the cartel's control is far from benign. The cartel enforces its rule through violence when necessary, including public displays of force and targeted assassinations. The capture or killing of cartel members by authorities often triggers violent reprisals, causing widespread fear and disruption among the local population. The January 2023 arrest of Ovidio Guzmán, son of the infamous El Chapo, led to violent clashes in Culiacán, illustrating the cartel's willingness to engage in large-scale violence to protect its interests​.

Overall, while the Sinaloa Cartel's rule might provide a veneer of order and predictability, it is underpinned by fear and the constant threat of violence, creating a harsh and oppressive environment for the citizens of Sinaloa​.


Sinaloa has long been at the very heart of the Mexican cartels, and it remains so today. The cartel and their presence is palpable no matter where you go or what you do. By day, government forces can be seen patrolling the streets and towns, by night those same police officers vanish only to be replaced by sicarios. In this episode, we pull the curtain back for a little peak at what it's like to live in Sinaloa.


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To contact me:

bobbycapucci@protonmail.com



source:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sinaloa-cartel-el-chapo-mexico-b2055649.html