Mexican president blames the U.S. for bloodshed in Sinaloa as cartel violence surges

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has attributed the recent spike in cartel violence in Sinaloa to the United States, claiming that American authorities are partly responsible for the turmoil. This surge in violence has resulted in at least 30 deaths in the past week, largely stemming from clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel in Culiacan. The conflict intensified following the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a prominent cartel leader, which has led to a scramble for power among the factions. During his morning briefing, López Obrador urged the cartels to act responsibly, expressing his belief that they might listen to him. Meanwhile, military operations are ongoing in Culiacan, where teams of soldiers and helicopters patrol the area in response to the violence.

Despite the presence of security forces, many families are choosing to stay indoors, fearing for their safety, and businesses are closing earlier than usual. The situation has left parents anxious about sending their children to school, as gunfire continues to erupt in the streets. With the city caught in this cycle of violence, the president's calls for peace face significant challenges.