Politics · Mexico · 4 hrs ago
Sinaloa removes El Castillo prison director after violence left 12 dead
Sinaloa’s public security department removed Enrique Mora García as director of El Castillo prison in Mazatlán on Oct.
23.
The decision followed clashes on Oct.
8 and 9 that killed 11 inmates and a two-year-old child and injured 17 people.
The child was visiting family at the prison, where the first violence began as a gunfight between inmates and continued the next day.
Officials said the director’s removal would help investigations proceed without possible interference; internal inquiries are under way at the security department and the state prosecutor’s office.
The prison had also seen violence earlier in 2026, including two inmate deaths in September.
A federal security official said the October clashes stemmed from rival factions of Los Chapitos fighting for control inside the prison.
The state human rights commission called for urgent action to restore order, while the prosecutor’s office is investigating the deaths as homicides.
Sinaloa removed Enrique Mora García as director of El Castillo prison after violence there left 12 people dead.
The deaths were reported during clashes on October 8 and 9: 11 inmates and a two-year-old child.
Sinaloa’s public security chief said the removal was intended to keep the ongoing investigations free from possible interference.
Investigations are underway within the state Public Security Secretariat and the Sinaloa State Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials offered differing accounts of the violence’s origins, with one describing an inmate brawl and another citing a dispute between factions of Los Chapitos.
- Who
- Sinaloa removed Enrique Mora García as director of El Castillo prison.
- What
- He was removed after clashes left 11 inmates and a two-year-old child dead.
- When
- The removal was announced on October 23, 2026. The clashes occurred on October 8 and 9.
- Where
- El Castillo prison in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Why
- Sinaloa’s public security chief said the move would allow investigations to proceed without possible interference.
Sinaloa Public Security Secretary Sinuhé Téllez López
Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch
Cause of violence
Sinaloa Public Security Secretary Sinuhé Téllez López
Téllez López said the conflict began as a fight between inmates that spread between prison modules.
Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch
García Harfuch said the clash stemmed from a dispute between two Los Chapitos factions after a criminal leader who operated inside the prison was released.
Involvement from outside
Sinaloa Public Security Secretary Sinuhé Téllez López
Téllez López denied that people from outside the prison took part and ruled out an armed group breaking in.
Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch
Not stated.
Enrique Mora García took up the post of prison director.
A shooting between inmates in modules four and five left nine inmates and a two-year-old child dead.
A second outbreak of violence left two more inmates dead from stab wounds.
Omar García Harfuch said the clash stemmed from a dispute between two Los Chapitos factions.
Sinaloa announced Mora García’s removal as director.
- Deaths
- 12 people: 11 inmates and a two-year-old child
- Injured
- 17 people
- Prison
- El Castillo, Mazatlán, Sinaloa
- Removed director
- Enrique Mora García
- Removal announced
- October 23, 2026