Mexico blames US for rise in anti-cartel violence

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has blamed the United States in part for the recent surge in cartel violence in Sinaloa, which has left more than 30 people dead in a week. On Thursday, he said the arrest of two top cartel figures had contributed to the increase in violence.

Rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel have clashed in the Sinaloa capital of Culiacán, which has a population of 808,416 in the western Mexican state, since the arrest of two top leaders in the U.S. in late July. Armed groups have been involved in violent shootouts with each other and security forces.

Bodies have been found all over the city. One victim was found in the workshop of a car garage, while police officers pulled another victim from a side street.

Asked during his morning news briefing whether the U.S. government was responsible for the violence, López Obrador replied, “Yes, of course … for carrying out this operation.” He was referring to the July 25 arrests of Joaquín Guzmán López, son of cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a reclusive cartel figure. Guzmán López was arrested near El Paso, Texas, after allegedly kidnapping Zambada and forcing him across the border.

The conflict has exacerbated tensions in U.S.-Mexican relations. Last month, López Obrador announced a diplomatic “pause” with the U.S. and Canada after criticism of his judicial reform.

Zambada’s arrest has escalated the cartel’s power struggle. Military helicopters flew over the northern part of Culiacán on Thursday, as traffic jams and school closures added to the disruption. Businesses closed early and residents stayed indoors after dark out of fear.

One mother, who asked not to be named, described how her daughter had not gone to school for weeks after gunmen stopped their taxi. “Where is the safety for our children, for ourselves and for all the citizens?” she asked. “It’s so dangerous here, you don’t want to go out.”

During his morning press conference, López Obrador criticized U.S. authorities for the operation that led to Zambada’s arrest, calling it “totally illegal” and claiming that U.S. Justice Department agents had been waiting for him. “If we now have instability and clashes in Sinaloa, it is because they (the U.S. government) made that decision,” he added, suggesting it undermines bilateral cooperation. Mexican prosecutors are reportedly considering treason charges against those involved in the plan.

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum joined López Obrador’s position, stressing: “We can never accept that there is no communication or cooperation.”

Despite the president’s “hugs not bullets” approach to curbing cartel violence, groups continue to use sophisticated tactics. Although López Obrador has urged warring factions in Sinaloa to act “responsibly,” violence continues to spiral out of control as his term nears its end.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.