A shocking act of violence unfolded in Mexico over the weekend, as twenty bodies were discovered, all victims of an escalating cartel war. The Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office confirmed that all victims were male and had suffered gunshot wounds. Five of the victims were found decapitated, with four of these bodies horrifically displayed by being hung from a highway bridge near Culiacán, the largest city in Sinaloa state.
The remaining fifteen bodies, including the fifth decapitated victim, were found in a van nearby. In a chilling addition, a plastic bag containing five human heads was found near the bridge. Officials reported that the van displayed a banner referencing the ongoing conflicts between rival drug cartels in Sinaloa.
The twenty victims were part of a total of 27 murders reported in Sinaloa on Sunday. This included a young man and two women who were victims of an armed attack in Culiacán. The recent surge in drug-related violence in Mexico is linked to the escalating conflict between rival gangs Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, who are currently engaged in a power struggle over strategic drug trafficking routes in Sinaloa.
The conflict between these factions intensified in September, following the high-profile kidnapping of a group leader by the son of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. The kidnapped individual was later handed over to US authorities via a private plane.
Culiacán, once known as one of the more peaceful Mexican cities, has been devastated by violence as the Sinaloa Cartel fights to maintain control. Despite the increasing violence, Mexican authorities assert that they are implementing necessary measures to combat organized crime.
Feliciano Castro, a spokesperson for the Sinaloa government, stated on Monday, “Military and police forces are working together to reestablish total peace in Sinaloa.”