Mexican Troops Engage Sinaloa Cartel Gunmen, Resulting in Fatalities
This week, clashes erupted between Mexican military personnel and members of the Sinaloa cartel, leading to the deaths of 11 individuals. The confrontation stemmed from a series of raids in affluent neighborhoods on the outskirts of Culiacan. These operations included the arrest of the daughter of notorious cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Interestingly, she was released just hours later, despite being previously flagged by U.S. authorities for her alleged involvement in money laundering for the cartel.
The military’s actions primarily targeted the Culiacan suburb of El Alamo, where they conducted searches at multiple properties, including a luxurious ranch. It was there that they apprehended Moniza Zambada Niebla, Zambada’s daughter, as well as took custody of her young daughter, the granddaughter of El Mayo.
According to statements from the Mexican Navy, Zambada Niebla was set free based on claims that he had “no connection to any criminal activity,” and that no arrest warrant existed against him. Nonetheless, back in 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department had marked Zambada Niebla as a significant figure within the Zambada Financial Network, which was reportedly involved in laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel.
Following the raids, armed members of the Sinaloa cartel engaged in fierce gunfights with military forces, prompting the Mexican navy to confirm that 11 gunmen lost their lives. Additionally, authorities detained a 39-year-old individual named Omar Oswald “N,” associated with the Los Mayos faction of the cartel.
As noted in previous reports, the Sinaloa Cartel was once regarded as Mexico’s dominant criminal organization. The seizure of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada has led to significant upheaval and violence within the cartel’s ranks, particularly after leaders of a rival faction known as Los Chapitos—linked to the imprisoned Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán—kidnapped Zambada and transported him to Texas. This act has fueled ongoing rivalries, particularly between El Chapo’s sons and the Zambada family.
