As intra-cartel violence increases, Mexico’s defense ministry reported Tuesday that 19 suspected gang members were killed in a shootout near the capital of Sinaloa State, and one local cartel leader was taken into custody.
According to a ministry statement, a group of over 30 gunmen opened fire on soldiers during the deadly altercation that occurred Monday approximately 7 miles (11 km) outside the Sinaloa capital of Culiacan. It also stated that after federal agents returned fire, some of the alleged cartel gunmen left the area.
We identified Edwin Antonio “N” as the detainee, withholding his last name as customary for individuals charged with crimes in Mexico. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the renowned co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel faction, described him as a local leader.
Edwin Antonio Rubio Lopez was detained by military forces in Sinaloa, according to a document dated October 22 that Reuters obtained from Mexico’s national registry of detained persons.
Along with seven vehicles, authorities also seized nearly 30 firearms, including machine guns, ammunition, and military-style vests and helmets.
Violence has erupted in the western Pacific coast state since Zambada’s arrest in late July, following his flight to an American airport near El Paso, Texas, and his immediate detention by US officials.
Experts estimate the seasoned cartel boss to be in his seventies. He asserts that a senior member of Los Chapitos, a rival group within the Sinaloa cartel, abducted him and forced him to travel to the United States.
Security analysts conclude that the gangland violence in Sinaloa, which has escalated since early September and left about 200 people dead and over 300 more missing, is probably a conflict between the two factions.
