The Sinaloa War is an ongoing internal armed conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel, centered in northwestern Mexico. The conflict began on 9 September 2024, following the transfer of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to United States authorities by members of the Chapitos faction. The event triggered a formal schism within the cartel and escalated into a multi-front war between the MZ/MF faction and Los Chapitos, later drawing in external cartels and regional groups.
| Infighting in the Sinaloa Cartel | ||||||||
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| Part of the Mexican drug war | ||||||||
Top: Movements of Belligerents In Southern Sinaloa (Sept 2024–Summer 2025) Bottom: Advances in Sonora Theater (February 2025-August 2025) Mayiza control Chapitos/CJNG control Chapitos control (Sonora) Los Salazar control (Sonora) | ||||||||
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| Belligerents | ||||||||
| Mexico | Fuerzas Especiales Union
| La Mayiza Guasave Cartel Los Salazar | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
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| Units involved | ||||||||
| Mexican Armed Forces
| Los Chapitos
| La Mayiza
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| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
| 4,000+ dead or missing | ||||||||
Background
Pre-existing feuds and internal fragmentation
Prior to the outbreak of open hostilities in September 2024, the Sinaloa Cartel was already experiencing increasing internal fragmentation, marked by localized feuds, territorial disputes, and the redistribution of personnel to prevent escalation and state intervention, these tensions laid the groundwork for the later full-scale conflict.
In the years leading up to the war, Los Chapitos, under the leadership of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, consolidated power aggressively within core territories. This approach generated internal dissent, as operators were displaced or marginalized rather than accommodated through negotiated arrangements.
One such dispute involved the removal of "Grupo Flechas" under “El Flechas” and “El Cholo Flechas” from their traditional operating areas by Chapitos-aligned forces under Oscar Gabriel "El Gabito" Martínez Larios In response, Ismael "Mayito Flaco" Zambada Sicairos reportedly intervened to prevent the conflict from escalating. "El Flechas" was introduced to "El 03" in Durango, where "El Flechas" was allegedly granted a defined area of operation as a means of de-escalation and territorial redistribution.
Despite these arrangements, armed confrontations between Flechas aligned groups and Chapitos affiliated elements, often referred to as "Los Cascos" — continued intermittently throughout the Sinaloa highlands. These clashes occurred sporadically and at a relatively low intensity, in contrast to the later widespread fighting following the formal outbreak of the Sinaloa War. The situation escalated significantly on 9 September 2024 only after Mayito Flaco reportedly authorized Flechas-aligned forces to expand into southern Sinaloa, directly challenging Chapitos control.
Containment strategies under Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada
During this period, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is widely reported to have favored a strategy of restraint aimed at minimizing attention from Mexican and U.S. authorities. To avoid destabilizing core territories and attracting law enforcement pressure, senior operatives were reassigned to different regions.
Notable redeployments included:
- "El Ruso" being sent to Mexicali
- "Grupo Flechas" relocating to Durango and Zacatecas
- "Macho Prieto" being dispatched to Sonora and Baja California following the accidental killing of Édgar Guzmán López.
These were intended to avoid wider violence and prevent localized disputes from triggering cartel-wide confrontations.
Operation Black Swan
Operation Black Swan was a military operation that led to the recapture of the Sinaloa Cartel leader, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, on 8 January 2016. This event led to the division of the cartel into various factions vying for control.
The two main factions that emerged were Los Chapitos, led by Ovidio Guzmán López ("El Ratón"), Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar ("El Chapito"), Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar ("Alfredito"), and Joaquín Guzmán López ("El Güero Moreno"), and La Mayiza, led by Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.
Battle of Culiacán (2019)
On 17 October 2019, Ovidio Guzmán López ("El Ratón") was apprehended by elements of the Mexican Armed Forces. This operation triggered a severe wave of violence in Culiacán, known as the "Culiacanazo". To prevent further bloodshed, the government made the controversial decision to release Guzmán López.
2023 Sinaloa unrest
On 5 January 2023, a major operation known as Operation Moongose Azteca was carried out in Culiacán to recapture Ovidio Guzmán López. This operation had been planned since late 2021 in collaboration with the Secretariat of National Defense, the National Guard, the National Intelligence Center, and the Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat.
Following a brief confrontation with Guzmán López's bodyguards, he was successfully recaptured and transported to Mexico City. During this process, gunmen from the Los Chapitos faction of the cartel besieged Culiacán and several other municipalities in Sinaloa, once again pressuring the government to release their leader. Amid the unrest, Los Chapitos sought assistance from La Mayiza, but the latter refused, causing a rift between the two factions.
Arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada
On 25 July 2024, the United States Department of Justice officially announced the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López in El Paso, Texas. The Mexican government stated that it had not participated in Zambada's capture.
On 9 August, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar revealed that Zambada had been forcibly taken to the U.S. against his will, while Guzmán López had surrendered voluntarily, fueling speculation that some form of "betrayal" was involved.
On 10 August, Zambada claimed in a letter made public by his attorney, Frank Pérez, that he had been ambushed and kidnapped by Guzmán López, who handed him over to U.S. authorities. According to the letter, Zambada had been invited to a meeting to negotiate and resolve disputes between Sinaloa's political leaders, Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda, leader of the Sinaloense Party. Upon arrival, he alleged he was attacked, bound, handcuffed, and taken in a vehicle to an airstrip, where he was forced onto a plane in order to be arrested by U.S. authorities.
Course of the war
Phase I — Outbreak of war (September–November 2024)
On the early morning of 9 September 2024, Ismael "Mayito Flaco" Zambada Sicairos authorized coordinated operations against Los Chapitos, with senior field commander "El Comanche" issuing orders for synchronized strikes across Sinaloa, triggering open hostilities that marked the formal beginning of the conflict.
At dawn on 9 September 2024, a Mexican Army convoy encountered armed civilians in La Campiña, a neighborhood on the east side of Culiacán and a stronghold of the Los Chapitos faction. A shootout broke out, resulting in the death of a sergeant. Violence escalated rapidly throughout the day, with additional clashes reported in nearby neighborhoods, clashes were reported in Costa Rica, likely involving forces aligned with MZ/MF and Los Chapitos. On the same day, a damaged vehicles were observed in Costa Rica following fighting, more clashes were reported in southern Culiacán Municipality—a stronghold of the La Mayiza faction—and the neighboring municipalities of Badiraguato, Navolato, and Elota. By midday, a group of gunmen briefly boarded a public bus, issuing warnings to passengers and the driver about further violence. During the day's confrontations, authorities seized several armored civilian vehicles, firearms, and tactical equipment. Intense violence followed in Culiacán throughout the following days.
Shortly after hostilities erupted, the Secretariat of Public Education and Culture, along with the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and the National Technological Institute of Mexico, suspended classes in affected areas. Public transportation services were widely disrupted, with numerous bus routes canceled. Many citizens sheltered in place for safety. Festivities for the Cry of Dolores were canceled.
The Mexican government, led by outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, dispatched additional army troops and National Guard units, asserting that their primary mission was to ensure the safety and well-being of the local population amidst the conflict.
On 11 September, two members of "Los Monguis", a group aligned with Los Chapitos, were killed in the Santa Fe area of Culiacán, reportedly by MZ/MF-aligned forces. Separately, a large formation of armed fighters was recorded near Quilá, Sinaloa, with footage showing that the group became engaged in fighting.
In the weeks that followed, armed units aligned with the MZ/MF faction redeployed to Sinaloa to engage Los Chapitos. These included “Los Rusos” from Baja California and "Grupo Flechas" from Durango and Zacatecas, alongside MZ/MF forces already operating within the state. Together, these units consolidated control over several eastern rural corridors of Sinaloa.
On 13 September, A Grupo Flechas convoy of improvised armoured vehicles and pick-up trucks associated with the "Los Cabrera" faction of MZ/MF was reportedly observed traveling from Durango toward Concordia, Sinaloa, to support MZ/MF forces. On the same day, a decapitated body was found in Culiacan, Sinaloa
On 15 September, South of Culiacán 5 dead bodies were found with sombreros on their heads, they were MF/MZ members.
The violence had spread across Sinaloa by mid-September, with narco-blockades frequently appearing along Mexican Federal Highway 15 and numerous deaths reported in remote towns. Some victims were found with sombreros or pizza slices—symbols linked to La Mayiza and Los Chapitos, respectively. The town of El Palmito in Concordia Municipality was temporarily evacuated, leaving it a ghost town.
On 18 September, The body of an assassinated individual identified as a Los Chapitos member was found near a gas station in El Melón, Sinaloa. On the same day, Three executed bodies, were found underneath the La Costerita bridge in southern Culiacán.
On 27 September, A van inscribed with "BIENVENIDOS A CULIACÁN" ("WELCOME TO CULIACÁN") was found with multiple dead bodies left in front of Taqueria La Rosca on La 15 in southern Culiacán
On 30 September, local police in Culiacán were removed from active duty after the Mexican Army seized their firearms to inspect permits and verify serial numbers. By that same day, the death toll had climbed to 118.
President Claudia Sheinbaum deployed a task force composed of Mexican Army soldiers, National Guard members, and agents from the National Intelligence Center to combat the escalating violence. On 2 October, she replaced Jesús Leana Ojeda with Guillermo Briseño Lobera as commander of the Third Military Region.
The Associated Press reported that gunmen used cellphone chats to identify potential targets. Armed men would stop individuals and search their contact lists, chat logs, or photos; if they found any connection to a rival faction, the person was either executed or kidnapped.
On 4 October, Five bodies were left at the intersection of a side street and La 15 in Culiacán; the victims appeared to be staged with hats, suggesting possible affiliation with the Mayitos.
On 9 October, Video footage showed "Los Cazadores" allied with Los Salazar, conducting armed patrols in El Claro, Sonora, including at least one improvised armored vehicle.
On 17 October, in Culiacán, gunfire erupted outside the headquarters of the newspaper El Debate when an individual exited a vehicle and opened fire with a long gun. Two days later, a deliveryman on a motorcycle carrying printed editions of the newspaper was ambushed and kidnapped by armed assailants.
On 18 October, vehicles with bullet-damaged windshields were observed following fighting in El Diez, Sinaloa. A body believed to be connected to the clashes was later recovered.
On 20 October, burned-out vehicles were documented after fighting in Tanques, Sinaloa.
On 21 October, Mexican forces engaged in a deadly confrontation, resulting in the deaths of 19 cartel members and the capture of "El Max", a high-ranking member of La Mayiza. The following day, a narco-banner from Los Chapitos appeared in Culiacán, aimed at Ismael Zambada Sicairos, leader of the La Mayiza faction. The banner threatened to turn Zambada over to U.S. authorities and mocked him over the military operation leading to "El Max's" capture, claiming government support was on their side. In response, La Mayiza circulated pamphlets across Culiacán, setting up a hotline for citizens to report corruption involving Governor of Sinaloa Rubén Rocha Moya.
On 26 October, a cooler decorated with bows and pizza drawings was found containing a severed head, allegedly of a Los Chapitos member, along with a message directed at the group.
On 28 October, a small plane, reportedly linked to the Los Chapitos faction, dropped four bombs on Vascogil, Durango, a stronghold of the Cabrera Sarabia Organization, allies of La Mayiza.
On 3 November, a drone attack conducted by CJNG targeted MZ/MF approximately 4 kilometers northwest of Quiviquinta, Nayarit.
On 15 November, a video circulated showing armed men loyal to Omar Félix Loaiza ("El Pelón" / "El 08"), a recently arrested Chapitos-aligned figure, operating near Caborca, Sonora.
On 16 November, individuals reported to be members of MZ/MF were observed patrolling near the letras monument in Pueblos Unidos, Sinaloa.
On 17 November, MZ/MF fighters were filmed at La Pista in La Petaca, Sinaloa
On 18 November, armed clashes between MZ/MF and Los Chapitos occurred in Ímala, Sinaloa. On the same day, a member of "Los Rusos", aligned with MZ/MF, was photographed at the town's letras monument, with reports suggesting Chapitos forces had been expelled.
On 19 November, gunmen identifying as part of MZ/MF recorded themselves parading through the center of Ímala, Sinaloa. Additionally, a large group of armed individuals aligned with the MZ/MF assembled near the Sanalona reservoir before departing in convoy toward Sanalona, Sinaloa.
On 23 November, a Jeep Gladiator displaying extensive gunfire damage was found in Caborca, Sonora, reportedly targeted by Los Costeños, an Independent Sonora Cartel faction.
On 26 November, five bodies bearing signs of torture were left in front of the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (Faculty of Agronomy) south of Culiacán, northwest of Costa Rica, Sinaloa. On the same date, a Chapitos-affiliated individual—possibly linked to Los Deltas or Los Pelones—was recorded driving along the highway toward Pitiquito, Sonora.
Phase II — Heavy fighting in Central and Southern Sinaloa, and Government Intervention (December 2024 – April 2025)
During the first week of December, in the Coyame–Ojinaga area of Chihuahua, State Police seized multiple abandoned vehicles and recovered seven firearms, including five semi-automatic rifles and one .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle.
On 6 December, members of Los Cabrera, aligned with the MZ faction, were reported gathering in El Mezquite, Chihuahua, approximately 43 kilometers from the border town of Ojinaga.
On 14 December, video footage showed MZ/MF-aligned gunmen positioned near the letras monument in El Dorado, Sinaloa.
on 17 December, sicarios affiliated with "Gente de Lupe Tapia", aligned with MZ/MF, were observed patrolling near the letras monument in Tacuichamona, Sinaloa.
On 26 December, authorities documented the scene where a body was recovered following a gunfight between two unidentified armed groups in the town of Costa Rica, Culiacán municipality, Sinaloa.
On 28 December, a burned-out truck allegedly belonging to La Mayiza was discovered in Sanalona, Sinaloa, following clashes with La Chapiza reported to have occurred several nights earlier.
On 31 December, a member of Los Rusos, aligned with the MZ/MF faction, was observed in El Salado, Sinaloa. On the same day, two bodies wrapped in blankets were left in front of a Ranchito Roll Sushi restaurant that had been shot up in Culiacán, Sinaloa.
2025
On 4 January 2025, a burned-out vehicle was documented following heavy fighting between La Chapiza and La Mayiza in El Espinal, Sinaloa.
On 6 January 2025, two bodies reportedly belonging to the Rugrats, an MF-aligned group, were left with narcomessages beside the letras monument in Costa Rica, Sinaloa, with Los Chapitos believed to be responsible. On the same date, video footage showed Chapitos members firing on a vehicle carrying presumed MZ/MF members outside Costa Rica, Sinaloa.
On 8 January 2025, a convoy of MF/MZ-affiliated gunmen was recorded on the Cosalá–Elota highway near El Solito, Sinaloa. On the same date, armed men alleged to belong to Grupo Flechas, aligned with MF, were observed entering El Palmito, Sinaloa.
On 11 January 2025, video footage circulated showing alleged Chapitos members displaying equipment they claimed had been abandoned by Mayitos following fighting in El Castillo, Sinaloa.
On 12 January 2025, Chapitos-affiliated gunmen were filmed patrolling the streets at night in La Cruz, Sinaloa.
On 13 January 2025, aftermath footage released by MZ/MF-aligned forces documented fighting believed to have occurred outside El Coacoyol, Sinaloa.
On 19 January 2025, Mexican authorities presented Juan Carlos Félix Gastélum ("Chavo Félix") at Base Aérea Militar No. 10 in Culiacán, following his detention the previous day in Quilá, Sinaloa.
On 20 January 2025, an undated video surfaced showing a group of MZ/MF-affiliated gunmen meeting approximately 20 kilometers northeast of La Cruz, Sinaloa, reportedly challenging Chapitos forces to engage.
On 23 January 2025, video footage reportedly filmed by CJNG showed armed operatives active in Acaponeta, Nayarit. On the same date, Grupo Flechas, aligned with the Mayitos, were reported to have captured CJNG members in Villanueva, Zacatecas.
On 26 January 2025, a CJNG convoy was observed operating near Villanueva, Zacatecas.
On 31 January 2025, video footage showed clashes between La Chapiza and La Mayiza in El Palmito, Sinaloa.
On 8 February 2025, authorities displayed Mauro N. ("El Jando") at Base Aérea Militar No. 10 in Culiacán, following his capture.
On 14 February 2025, fighting between La Chapiza and La Mayiza was reported in Culiacán, Sinaloa.
On 18 February 2025, vehicles belonging to Los Cabreras, aligned with the MZ faction, were recorded traveling on the federal free highway in Pueblo Nuevo, Durango.
On 19 February 2025, José Ángel Cannobio Inzunza ("El Güerito"), a senior Los Chapitos figure, was filmed being loaded onto an aircraft at Base Aérea Militar No. 10 in Culiacán following his capture.
On 26 February 2025, video footage documented heavy fighting between MZ/MF and Los Chapitos in Concordia Municipality, Sinaloa. On the same date, clashes were reported between MZ/MF forces and CJNG in Zonteco, Nayarit, as MZ-aligned units advanced toward Huajicori after battles in San Andrés Milpillas in the past months.
On 3 March 2025, the body of an alleged Chapitos member was found hanging from arches in Potrerillos del Norote, Sinaloa, following clashes over territorial control.
On 6 March 2025, two bodies were left outside the STASAC facility in Culiacán, Sinaloa, one of which was wrapped in plastic.
On 14 March 2025, gunmen from the Los Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel were observed operating armored vehicles in Zacatecas, reportedly in support of CJNG.
On 15 March 2025, a Chapitos convoy was recorded entering the town of Tanques, Sinaloa.
On 19 March 2025, an MF-aligned convoy was observed operating along the border of the Cosalá and San Ignacio municipalities in southern Sinaloa.
On 20 March 2025, a Chapitos convoy was documented moving through central Tanques, Sinaloa.
On 23 March 2025, drone footage released by a Chapitos operator showed fighting against Mayiza forces in Potrerillo del Norote, Sinaloa.
On 24 March 2025, the severed head, hands, and feet of "Koki Cázares", identified as a Chapitos affiliate, were left with a narcomanta by La Mayiza near Plaza Fórum in Culiacán, Sinaloa.
On 7 April 2025, an attack on a rehabilitation center in the Colinas de San Miguel area of Culiacán left nine people dead and five injured, with Mexican authorities attributing responsibility to Los Chapitos.
On 15 April 2025, authorities documented the aftermath of a shootout between armed civilians and Mexican security forces in the Los Huizaches area of Culiacán, in which one municipal police officer was reported killed.
On 29 April 2025, a large Chapitos convoy was recorded near El Coacoyol, Sinaloa.
On June 30, authorities discovered four decapitated bodies hanging from a bridge and sixteen more bodies in a white van near Culiacán, Sinaloa, during a surge of cartel violence.
On 9–10 July, clashes between the New Juárez Cartel and Los Cabrera, an armed faction aligned with La Mayiza, resulted in at least 23 fatalities. The violence occurred in the Ojinaga region of Chihuahua, an area that has been contested by the two groups since the previous year.
Phase III — Entry of the Guasave Cartel (BLO) and territorial realignment (May 2025)
Early May 2025, the Guasave Cartel, a faction of the Beltrán Leyva Organization led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores (“Chapo Isidro”), abandoned its previous neutral stance. Armed clashes were reported in Mocorito and Guamúchil, and the BLO formally aligned with the MZ/MF faction.
On 4 May 2025, federal and state forces detained six heavily armed hitmen in Navolato, Sinaloa.
On 5 May 2025, fighting occurred in Mocorito, Sinaloa between Numerada (Chapitos) and forces aligned with Chapo Isidro, although reports of the participants remained unconfirmed.
On 6 May 2025, armed men belonging to "Gente Del Guano" seen patrolling in Badiraguato, Sinaloa.
On 7 May 2025, a family traveling on Federal Highway 24 near La Lapara and Los Naranjos was caught in the crossfire during an attack on personnel accompanying the Prosecutor's Office and a funeral home. Two girls were killed, and three individuals, including a 12-year-old, were injured. On the same day, an La Linea convoy, reportedly members of the “H’s” faction, was observed in Maguarichi, Chihuahua.
On 8 May 2025, clashes continued in Mocorito and Guamúchil, Sinaloa. A caravan of armored trucks, some with dual rear wheels, was observed in the region.
On 9 May 2025, multiple properties associated with Texas 01 of Los Chapitos were attacked in Badiraguato, Sinaloa.
On 10 May 2025, a threatening message was reportedly left by Chapo Isidro's faction for "Gente del 27" (armed faction under "El Perris") of Los Chapitos in Caimanero, Mocorito, Sinaloa. On the same day, members of "La Gente Del Yuko" were observed patrolling Chinitos, and Angostura, Sinaloa.
Mid to late May 2025, large areas of northern Sinaloa came under the control of the BLO–MZ/MF alliance, while Los Chapitos experienced what was described as a near-collapse of their northern front.
On 18 May 2025, a technical truck marked by Chapo Isidro's faction was documented in La Apoma, Badiraguato, Sinaloa, alongside photographs of a business sprayed with "Musico 23" in Badiraguato.
On 19 May 2025, MZ/MF had reportedly taken control of Surutato, Los Sitios, La Apoma, and several surrounding ranches in Sinaloa.
On 23 May 2025, a raid by Mexican army tried to arrest Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benítez also known as El Perris, but the sudden shootout between cartel members and army resulted in the death of him, he had a bounty of $1 million placed by the US government.
On 26 May 2025, members of "Los Rusos", aligned with the MZ/MF, entered the town of El Pozo, Sinaloa, previously controlled by Los Chapitos. Footage shows them approaching and subsequently burning the house of "El Gini", a lieutenant of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán.
On 27 May 2025, clashes occurred in Aldama–Ojinaga, Chihuahua, between "Los Cabrera" of MZ/MF and La Línea, as MZ/MF attempted to advance in the area. On the same day, members of Mayito Flaco documented the aftermath of these confrontations in Ojinaga, Chihuahua.
On 28 May 2025, members of the MZ/MF faction were filmed in front of the arches of San Tadeo de las Flores, Zacatecas. On the same day, video footage showed "Comandante Tostado 11" of "Grupo Flechas", aligned with "MZ/MF", patrolling around Valparaíso, Zacatecas.
Phase IV — Chapitos form alliance with CJNG, and transition to a protracted conflict (May 2025 - present)
On 31 May 2025, MZ/MF left a body in Culiacán, Sinaloa, with a sign reading: "Here is another Chapozeta lookout… The capital has an owner. They are fighting a lost war… MF. "
On 3 June 2025, Tostado 11 of Grupo Flecha was observed on patrol in Valparaíso, Zacatecas.
On 2 June 2025, a severed human head was left with a narcomensaje near the entrance to the zoo in Culiacán, Sinaloa.
On 4 June 2025, a burning truck was reported following clashes between Los Chapitos and the MZ/MF faction in Mezquitita, Sinaloa.
On 5 June 2025, drone footage captured Chapitos monitoring a MZ/MF blindada in Las Iguanas, Sinaloa.
On 9 June 2025, CJNG and Chapitos members were photographed posing together in front of the letras monument in Cacalótan, Sinaloa, further suggesting an alliance.
On 10 June 2025, graffiti featuring IAG and CJNG appeared on buildings in El Tepuche, Sinaloa, indicating coordination between Chapitos and CJNG. Later in the day, MZ/MF approached the town and began clashing with Chapitos and CJNG, MZ/MF-aligned gunmen later then spray-painted over the graffiti left by Chapitos and CJNG. CJNG fighters were reported in Agua Blanca, Sinaloa, approximately 15 kilometers from Culiacán, indicating operations in coordination with Chapitos.
On 11 June 2025, video footage documented Gente del Guano operating a drone outside Badiraguato, Sinaloa. Aureliano Guzmán Loera (“El Guano”), brother of Joaquín Guzmán Loera (“El Chapo”), was identified as a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
On 15 June 2025, video footage captured "Vitache Special Forces" of Chapo Isidro engaged in combat against "Los Ranas" of Chapitos in the Tierra Blanca neighborhood of Culiacán, Sinaloa. a blindada was left at the scene of a shootout in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where at least two gunmen reportedly died.
On 16 June 2025, a MZ/MF-affiliated sicario was observed standing on the San Luis Potosí side of the state border near Huertecillas, SLP. On 16 June 2025, Los Vitaches and Los Rusos were observed arriving at El Tamarindo, north of Culiacán, Sinaloa, to consolidate control.
On 19 June 2025, a bullet-riddled car involved in a shootout between criminal groups in El Limón de los Ramos, Sinaloa was reported, resulting in two fatalities.
On 20 June 2025, a MZ/MF fighter from Durango, sent by the Cabrera Sarabia brothers to engage the "Nuevo Cártel de Juárez" (NCDJ), was killed and dismembered along a remote stretch of highway.
On 21 June 2025, a video captured a gunfight between Chapitos and MZ/MF sicarios just outside Potrerillo del Norote, Sinaloa.
On 24 June 2025, the Chapiza–CJNG alliance reportedly executed two suspected turncoats from "Los Avendaño". The victims were later displayed hanging from the Benito Juárez highway bridge near Caimanero, Mocorito, Sinaloa.
On 26 June 2025, CJNG fighters were reported in Villanueva, Zacatecas, a contested plaza previously fought over by CJNG and MZ/MF.
On 4 July 2025, dismembered bodies were left on an overpass in San Blas, Sinaloa, with the heads placed on containers and a narcomensaje left at the scene.
On 16 July 2025, MZ/MF sicarios, reportedly from Durango, were observed in Los Humayes, Sinaloa.
On 13 July 2025, MZ/MF sicarios took control of a ranch from Chapitos-affiliated René Bastidas (“El 00”) in San Fermín, Sinaloa.
On 27 July 2025, CJNG sicarios operated in Villanueva, Zacatecas, a town that has been fought over by CJNG and MZ/MF for the past months.
On 31 July 2025, MF/MZ-affiliated "La Gente del Tigre" sicarios patrolled San Juan, Sinaloa, near the letras monument.
On 1 August 2025, a dismembered body was left in a cooler north of Culiacán, Sinaloa, accompanied by a narcomensaje.
On 5 August 2025, MZ/MF sicarios from the Mayito Flaco faction were observed at a crossroads in La Güilota, Nayarit. On the same day, a CJNG convoy patrolled Villanueva, Zacatecas, a key plaza contested between CJNG and MZ/MF.
On 8 August 2025, drone footage showed a reported MZ/MF ranch on fire in Escuinapa, Sinaloa, reportedly attacked with drones by Chapitos.
On 15 August 2025, a convoy of MZ/MF-affiliated sicarios was observed on the road near El Huérfano, Chihuahua, reportedly searching for NCDJ members.
On 15 August 2025, Gente de Guano blockaded the southern entrance to Soyatita on Federal Highway 24, securing access to La Tuna and El Durazno, Sinaloa.
On 18 September 2025, drone footage captured a "Fuerzas Especiales Unión"-affiliated drone observing monstruos and blindadas moving east from La Tuna, Sinaloa.
On 20 September 2025, a large group of MZ/MF-affiliated sicarios was observed approximately 1.5 kilometers from the outskirts of Guachochi, Chihuahua.
On 15 October 2025, GDG–Los Calabazas sicarios were seen in Arroyo Seco, Sinaloa, repainting graffiti over previous Chapitos markings.
On 24 October 2025, ongoing fighting was reported across the Picachos mountain range and the areas of El Carrizal and El Aserradero, located between Huajicori and Acaponeta, Nayarit. The clashes were described as involving MZ/MF aligned forces against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
On 26 October 2025, a dronero affiliated with Los Músicos / Chapo Isidro reportedly dropped a munition on a Gente del Guano-affiliated vehicle southwest of La Tuna, Sinaloa.
On 7 October 2025, sicarios from the MF/MZ faction patrolled the town of El Salado, Sinaloa, and Chapitos-aligned vehicles were reported in El Rosario, Sinaloa.
On 13 October 2025, an undated video showed an MZ/MF patrol operating on a highway near Villa Juárez, Sinaloa, a known Chapitos stronghold.
On 30 October 2025, infantry units of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel were reported guarding the plaza in Santa María de Picachos a locality within the municipality of Huajicori, Nayarit, indicating an active CJNG presence in the area.
On 9 September 2025, MF/MF-affiliated Grupo Flechas sicarios were documented on the streets of Pánuco, Sinaloa.
On 18 November 2025, clashes were reported in the vicinity of the area known as Ojo de Agua, located a short distance from the municipal seat of Huajicori, Nayarit.
On 2 December 2025, 11 members of "Los Cabreras" of MZ/MF were arrested by the Mexican military in El Pueblito, Chihuahua.
On 7 December 2025, a contingent of MZ/MF fighters was observed operating in Acaponeta, Nayarit.
On 12 December 2025, drone footage captured a Chapitos drone monitoring the movement of MZ/MF sicarios in Casa Viejas, Sinaloa.
On 17 December 2025, intense clashes were reported in Escuinapa, Sinaloa, between rival armed groups, likely involving Fuerzas Especiales Unión (FEU)—CJNG and Los Chapitos—against forces of "Grupo Flechas" of Mayito Flaco (MZ/MF). Residents reported gunfire, road blockades along the Tepic–Mazatlán highway, and the presence of drones, including footage showing a drone carrying an explosive device. Additional drone sightings were reported near the Acaponeta toll booth and on the road connecting Acaponeta to El Rosario.
On 21 December 2025, Óscar Noé Medina González, also known as "El Panu", head of security for Los Chapitos, was assassinated in a targeted attack at the Luaú restaurant in the Zona Rosa of Mexico City. Medina González had arrived in the capital on 19 December 2025 from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, where he rented Airbnb accommodations for himself and his mother in order to spend the Christmas holidays with family. On the day of the attack, he took his mother to church before dining at the restaurant, where two armed assailants entered and one opened fire at close range, striking him at least twelve times. The attacker fled on foot toward Paseo de la Reforma, escaped on a motorcycle, and was captured on security cameras entering and leaving the area. At the scene, authorities recovered 9 mm shell casings and a magazine, and the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) and the Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (FGJCDMX) initiated an investigation. In the immediate aftermath, Medina González’s wife initially misidentified him as "Óscar Ruiz", describing him as a hotel businessman from Mazatlán and removing his belongings before authorities arrived, delaying identification. His identity was later confirmed by his mother, Guadalupe González, who formally identified him to authorities while denying knowledge of his criminal activities.
On 23 December 2025, elements of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), in a joint operation with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Mexican Army, arrested Mario Alfredo Lindoro Navidad, "El 7", brother-in-law and financial operator of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, along with Mario Lindoro Elenes, "El Niño", father-in-law and also a financial operator for the Los Chapitos faction, during coordinated raids in the Bajío Zapopan and Vallarta Universidad neighborhoods of Zapopan, Jalisco. The arrests followed intelligence-led investigations that resulted in two search warrants authorized by a control judge. Authorities seized seven bags of drugs, four handguns, ammunition, magazines, two pickup trucks, a high-end vehicle, a motorcycle, communication equipment, and cash.
Impact
Forced displacement
As violence linked to cartel infighting escalated in Sinaloa, forced displacement increased significantly beginning in late 2024. According to state authorities, at least 1,763 families have been displaced due to insecurity, primarily in mountainous and rural areas of the state. Media reporting indicated that at least 50 rural communities were left largely abandoned, often described as ghost towns, as residents fled ongoing violence.
The municipality of Concordia recorded the highest number of displaced families, with 261 families assisted by mid-2025, followed by Cosalá, where 238 families were reported displaced. Other affected municipalities included Culiacán, Rosario, Elota, San Ignacio, and Navolato. In September 2024, the community of El Palmito in Concordia was evacuated following armed clashes between rival criminal groups, displacing approximately 180–200 residents and effectively rendering the town uninhabited.
Displaced families relocated primarily to Mazatlán and other municipal centers in southern Sinaloa, while others fled toward Durango when highways to Culiacán were blocked by criminal roadblocks. Authorities acknowledged that an undetermined number of families relocated to other Mexican states without registering with local or state agencies, complicating efforts to maintain comprehensive displacement figures.
Reactions
Federal government
López Obrador administration
López Obrador frequently downplayed reports of escalating violence, claiming that coverage was exaggerated by conservative media outlets. He explicitly blamed the U.S. government for the violence in Sinaloa, attributing the instability to the agreement between the United States and Joaquín Guzmán López that resulted in the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and suggesting it provoked the outbreak of violence. Speaking at a morning press conference, he called on rival criminal groups to act responsibly and avoid harming civilians, and stated that his administration would continue to prioritize the protection of the population.
On 16 September, General Jesús Leana Ojeda, commander of the Third Military Region, asserted that state security did not depend solely on the army but on the rival groups' willingness to stop their confrontations.
See also
- Infighting in the Gulf Cartel – internal conflict within the Gulf Cartel involving two factions of the Gulf Cartel, Los Metros and Los Rojos
- Infighting in Los Zetas – internal conflict within the Los Zetas Cartel that was responsible for the creation of the Cártel del Noreste
- Los Ninis – armed wing of the Sinaloa Cartel's Los Chapitos
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