This Thursday, the town of Jesús María in Culiacán, Sinaloa, became the latest scene of violence as a suspected armed confrontation took place between Mexican Army troops and members of organized crime in the village of Paredones. The incident echoes the January 2023 "Culiacanazo," when the capture of Ovidio Guzmán, alias "El Ratón," plunged the region into chaos.

According to initial reports, elements of the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) entered Paredones, sparking a shootout with armed civilians near a local church. During the confrontation, a military vehicle overturned, and several others were damaged due to the placement of homemade tire-puncturing devices on the road connecting Paredones with Mojolo.

Culiacán bajo fuego🚨 #URGENTE | Reportan bloqueos y balaceras en Culiacán, #Sinaloa, tras la presunta captura de Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, hijo de "El Chapo". #CuliacánEnCrisis pic.twitter.com/SYiWaAZEdT

— LuisCardenasMX (@LuisCardenasMx) August 29, 2024

Local media reported that amid the chaos, criminals set fire to buses and delivery vehicles as the Army defended itself. So far, no official confirmation of injuries has been provided.

This outbreak of violence comes against a backdrop of growing instability within the Sinaloa Cartel. Following the recent capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, one of the cartel’s last historic leaders, there are rumors that his detention could be linked to internal disputes within the organization, possibly orchestrated by "Los Chapitos," the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has issued a statement linking Ovidio Guzmán to Zambada’s capture, further heightening tensions in the region.

Enfrentamiento entre civiles armados y elementos de la Guardia Nacional Y el Ejército Mexicano.

Generan narco bloqueos y quema de vehículos en los extremos norte y sur de Culiacán, Sinaloa.

Se despliega personal del Ejército Mexicano, de la Marina y Guardia Nacional.

Extra… pic.twitter.com/wy7ZPz97cp

— Cesar Gutiérrez Priego M.R. (@cesargutipri) August 29, 2024

Simultaneously, unconfirmed reports have surfaced regarding the possible capture of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, son of "El Chapo" Guzmán and a member of "Los Chapitos." While no official confirmation has been made, this news coincides with armed clashes and blockades in the streets of Culiacán. Guzmán Salazar is one of the DEA's most wanted drug traffickers, with a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.