### Sinaloa Crime Wave: Journalist’s Son Kidnapped, Governor Threatened, Soldier Injured
In Sinaloa, a tragic series of events unfolded on September 16, 2024, starting with the abduction of David Eduardo Martínez Meraz, the son of local journalist Ernesto Alfredo Martínez. Around 11:20 a.m., David, along with two others identified as Antonio Guadalupe Bojórquez Payán and Ezequiel Jass, was kidnapped by armed men on Islas Cícladas street in the Prados del Sur neighborhood of Culiacán de Rosales. David, who is 20 years old, was driving a gray Dodge Attitude, which he rented to operate as a taxi through a mobile app.
On the same day, Francisco Jesús Leana Ojeda, commander of the Third Military Region, emphasized that the security situation in Sinaloa hinges on criminal groups ceasing their violent confrontations. These conflicts have been ongoing since September 9, 2024, leading to several shootouts in and around Culiacán de Rosales. Just hours before this statement, a clash between military forces and hitmen in the La Campiña neighborhood resulted in the death of a soldier.
Leana Ojeda stressed that restoring order is not solely the responsibility of the Armed Forces but requires the cessation of violent activities by the criminal factions. “We hope it will be resolved quickly, but it depends on the adversarial groups stopping their confrontations and allowing civilians to live peacefully,” he said in a press conference attended by Governor Rubén Rocha Moya.
Since September 9, around 39 people have been killed due to conflicts between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, notably between “Los Chapitos” and followers of Ismael Zambada Sicairos, alias “El Mayito Flaco.” According to the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), there have been 29 incidents of violence, including 13 direct attacks on military personnel, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to three others.
Porfirio Fuentes Vélez, commander of the Ninth Military Zone, reported that 27 people had been detained during security operations, and four kidnapping victims were rescued from armed civilians’ vehicles.
At the press conference, Governor Rocha Moya acknowledged supply shortages in rural communities near Culiacán de Rosales and instructed the state’s welfare department to deliver supplies. He attributed the violence to disputes among criminal factions but assured that coordinated efforts with the Federal Government were in place to mitigate the situation.
Rocha Moya also responded to threats from organized crime, suggesting they might be politically motivated. “A troubled river benefits fishermen,” he remarked, hinting at potential exploitation by his political adversaries.
In addition, on September 15, 2024, official websites for Sinaloa’s tax administration and the state’s College of Bachelors (COBAES) were disabled by a cyberattack. The perpetrators, calling themselves “Nuevo Virus,” left a threatening message for Governor Rocha Moya, warning of further violence.
### Additional News: Further Violence and Threats in Sinaloa
Following the abduction of journalist Ernesto Alfredo Martínez’s son, the wave of violence in Sinaloa shows no signs of abating. Various sources report ongoing clashes between cartel factions, exacerbating the already tense environment.
The Sinaloa Cartel, fragmented into competing factions, continues to be a significant source of unrest. “Los Chapitos” and factions loyal to “El Mayito Flaco” show no signs of compromise, leading to frequent, deadly skirmishes. The intensity of these conflicts has paralyzed several localities, prompting state and federal authorities to strengthen their joint operations further.
Concerns grow as more civilians find themselves caught in this violent crossfire, pushing local communities to demand greater protection and more comprehensive conflict resolution strategies from their leaders.
The state’s efforts to restore normalcy face persistent challenges, especially amid rumors of cartel-related cyber threats and power struggles within the criminal groups. The broader fallout includes economic disruptions and heightened anxiety among residents, highlighting the need for a robust and sustained approach to tackling organized crime in Sinaloa.
TJGringo.com will continue to follow and report on these developments, offering the latest updates and insights on the situation as it evolves.