Mexico finds 20 dead bodies, 5 decapitated in cartel-plagued Culiacan
The city of Culiacan in Mexico was once again rocked by violence as Mexican authorities discovered 20 dead bodies, including five decapitated corpses, in the cartel-plagued city on Monday. Four decapitated bodies were found hanging from a highway bridge with their heads discovered nearby in a plastic bag. Additionally, 16 more bodies with gunshot wounds were found in a white van on the same freeway, one of which had also been decapitated. Authorities found a note from one of the cartel groups at the scene, although the contents of the note were not disclosed.
Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state in western Mexico, has been embroiled in a battle for control between two rival drug trafficking groups of the Sinaloa cartel – Los Chapitos and La Mayiza. The escalating violence has left many residents feeling that authorities have lost control of the situation.
The Sinaloa government spokesperson, Feliciano Castro, stated that military and police forces are working together to restore peace in the region. Last month, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Los Chapitos, designating it a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The U.S. Treasury Department highlighted the group’s involvement in fentanyl production and trafficking.
Gunmen linked to the Sinaloa cartel were also implicated in the October 18, 2024, killing of U.S. Marine veteran Nicholas Quets in Sonora, Mexico. Despite condemnation from Mexican authorities, the situation in Culiacan remains volatile, with residents living in fear of the ongoing violence.
The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Sinaloa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The violence in Culiacan underscores the challenges faced by authorities in combating drug cartels and maintaining law and order in the region.
Sophia Compton, a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. With a background in journalism and experience covering various beats, she provides valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding cartel violence in Mexico.
