**Main Article:**
**Key Arrest in Culiacán: Alleged Payroll Operator for ‘Los Chapitos’ Detained**
On December 6, 2024, Horacio Félix Loaiza was arrested in Culiacán, identified as a critical figure responsible for the payroll management of the notorious criminal group ‘Los Chapitos’. Horacio, the brother of Omar Félix Loaiza, alias “El Pelón”, has been accused of orchestrating financial operations in Culiacán and Sonora for the group known as ‘Los Menores’ or ‘Los Chiquillos’, connected to Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and his siblings. The Guzmán brothers are sons of the infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
The arrest of Horacio Félix Loaiza occurred in a coordinated operation by multiple security agencies, including the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Secretariat of National Defense, the Navy, the National Guard, and the Federal Attorney General’s Office. He was apprehended alongside five other individuals and found in possession of drugs and three firearms, including a Barrett .50 caliber.
The SSPC noted that the joint efforts are part of ongoing measures to curb violence in the area. Following the detained operations, a subsequent statement revealed that Horacio was a financial operator using his known addresses for evading capture.
**Secondary Article:**
**Broader Context: Gang Warfare Escalation in Culiacán**
The capture of Horacio and subsequent dismantling of several operatives is just one part of a larger conflict. Recently, Culiacán has seen an increase in violence attributed to power struggles between ‘Los Chapitos’ and rival factions such as Los Mayos, led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. This conflict, entangled with the narcotics trade, has made Sinaloa a hotbed of cartel activity.
Furthermore, Omar Félix Loaiza, alias “El Pelón”, has been linked with organizing offensive operations aimed at rival groups. His arrest occurred in November 2024 in a government crackdown on cartel elements. The Mexican government has since redoubled efforts to tame the spiraling violence and strengthen law enforcement presence in affected regions.
These developments mark significant steps in the government’s pervasive strategy against organized crime, partly in response to international pressure, specifically from the U.S., to control drug trafficking routes affecting both nations. As tensions remain high, these efforts signal a renewed resolve to enhance regional stability and reduce cartel influence in the region.