Politics · Mexico · 9 hrs ago
Mexico deploys 22,667 troops to Sinaloa amid cartel violence
Mexico has deployed 22,667 military personnel in Sinaloa, equal to 23% of the Army’s nationwide deployment, according to the defence secretary.
The northwestern state has been hit by a violent split between the “Chapitos” and “Mayos”, factions of the Sinaloa Cartel that were once partners.
The fighting began in September 2024 after cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was detained in the United States.
Since then, the state prosecutor’s office has recorded more than 4,000 homicides and thousands of disappearances.
The deployment includes aircraft, drones and more than 1,700 vehicles, and officials have signed an agreement to provide 80 vehicles, including 20 armored ones, to strengthen state security.
A second agreement will provide training for Mazatlán’s municipal police, with the aim of improving their operational capacity.
Mexico has 22,667 military personnel deployed in Sinaloa, equal to 23% of the Army’s deployment nationwide.
The deployment is taking place amid a conflict between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel that began in September 2024.
The state prosecutor’s office says the conflict has caused more than 4,000 homicides and thousands of people to go missing.
The force includes aircraft, drones, counter-drone equipment and more than 1,700 vehicles.
On November 9, Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo presided over agreements to reinforce public security in the state.
- Who
- Mexico’s military, with 22,667 personnel deployed in Sinaloa.
- What
- The deployment is intended to contain violence between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
- When
- The conflict began on September 9, 2024. The agreements were signed on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Why
- The deployment is amid a war between the cartel’s “Los Chapitos” and “Los Mayos” factions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The conflict between the “Los Chapitos” and “Los Mayos” factions began after Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was detained in the United States.
Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo presided over the signing of agreements to reinforce public security in Sinaloa.
- Military personnel deployed
- 22,667
- Share of the Army’s nationwide deployment
- 23%
- Homicides since September 2024
- More than 4,000
- Vehicles in the contingent
- More than 1,700
- Vehicles in the state security agreement
- 80, including 20 armoured vehicles