Escalating cartel violence that has terrorized Sinaloa state for months has forced the closure of IHOP restaurants in the region. The restaurant is one of many businesses that have closed in the Mexican state, where brutal cartel warfare, targeted killings, kidnappings and terrorist-style attacks continue. Civil servants continue to insist that security is improving.
This week, IHOP Sinaloa announced in a prepared statement that it would close its Culiacan, Sinaloa location following violence in the area. As the violence continued, the situation became too dangerous for restaurant employees and customers. In a statement, the chain claimed it could resume operations once local security improves.
The public closure of chain restaurants was a social blow to the credibility of the Mexican government, which has tried to paint an image of peace and success in arrests and seizures. At the same time, Sinaloa continues to experience the effects of a fierce turf war between two rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
As reported by Breitbart Texas, the fighting is connected to the highly publicized July 2024 arrest of Sinaloa cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. In this incident, members of the Los Chapitos faction and top politicians lured Zambada to a meeting, only to be captured. They put him on a plane and arrived in the United States, where federal agents were waiting. This perceived betrayal sparked an internal conflict between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Zambada and the Chapitos faction led by the sons of imprisoned kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The ensuing war resulted in thousands of murders and forced disappearances, and the Mexican federal forces and military proved highly ineffective in restoring peace.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist at Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart, Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and Breitbart's senior management team. you can follow him Twitter And even more facebook. He can be contacted at: iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart, Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and Breitbart's senior management team. please follow him Twitter and facebook. He can be contacted at: bdarby@breitbart.com.
