**AMLO Claims US Partly Responsible for Violence in Sinaloa; Insists Security is Under Control**
On September 19, 2024, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared that the United States government shares responsibility for the recent outbreak of violence in Sinaloa, which has claimed 48 lives since September 9. The violence reportedly started after Ismael Mario Zambada García, known as “El Mayo,” was detained in the U.S. on July 25, 2024. The capture followed his kidnapping in Culiacán by Joaquín Guzmán López, alias “El Güero Moreno,” a son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
During a morning press briefing at the National Palace, López Obrador criticized the unilateral actions of the U.S., suggesting that these have disrupted bilateral cooperation. He claimed that a secretive deal between the U.S. authorities and certain criminal groups in Sinaloa led to the ongoing conflict in the region. According to official reports, violent incidents on May 18, 2024, resulted in nine deaths in Sinaloa, making it the second deadliest state in Mexico after Baja California.
When a reporter asked whether the U.S. bears some responsibility for the violence, López Obrador responded affirmatively, linking the chaos to an undisclosed arrangement for the detention and handover of key cartel figures. He stressed that the Mexican government had not been informed about these actions and is now dealing with the repercussions.
López Obrador clarified that the violence does not mean the situation is out of control, noting that special measures have been taken, including deploying armed forces to restore order. He reiterated the need for transparency regarding the mysterious agreement that led to the capture of “El Mayo” and other cartel members, hinting at a possible release or shift in status for Ovidio Guzmán López, alias “El Ratón,” in the U.S.
Although López Obrador does not see this event threatening the bilateral relationship, he emphasized that the U.S. should start considering Mexico’s position in such matters to ensure continued cooperation.
**Secondary Article**
**Additional Insights on Sinaloa’s Recent Violence:**
Complementing President López Obrador’s remarks, other recent reports have provided more context and data regarding Sinaloa’s violent outbreaks. Analysts suggest that the detentions stirred a power struggle within the Sinaloa cartel, exacerbating tensions among rival factions. Local sources confirm that the confrontations have not only resulted in deaths but also disrupted daily life and businesses across the state.
Security experts insist that cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican authorities must improve, stressing the importance of shared intelligence and mutual respect for sovereignty. Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about the civilian losses and demanded a more comprehensive approach to tackling organized crime.
Moreover, some journalists point out a troubling pattern where high-profile arrests in Mexico or extraditions to the U.S. often trigger brutal retaliation from criminal organizations, impacting public safety. Calls for a strategic review of current policies have grown louder, urging a balanced method that minimizes collateral damage and enhances regional stability.
As this situation continues to evolve, both Mexican and international communities are keenly watching how both governments will navigate this complex dynamic to restore peace and security.