Thousands demand end to violence in Mexican cartel hotspot

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Culiacán. A city in the north Mexico state of Sinaloa, to demand an end to the violence that has wracked the area. The state has seen a significant increase in murders and disappearances since two factions of the Sinaloa cartel started a bloody war two years ago.

March Scheduled Coincide Second Anniversary

The march was scheduled to coincide with the second anniversary since the start of the conflict, which broke out after the arrest of wanted drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the US. His followers, La Mayiza, allege he was betrayed. The two factions regularly carry out ambushes and drive-.

Sunday's protest was organised "That's the tragedy Sinaloa is experiencing," Esquer said. The event started with a Mass in which the bishop of Culiacán called on members of the warring groups to put an end to their violence.

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Stop Look Whats Happening Look

"Stop, look at what's happening, look at the affected families, look at the young people and at our city. No amount of power, of money, territory or ambition is worth more than a human life," he shared. Among those who attended the protest were relatives of a one-year-old boy who died after being hit.

In April, US prosecutors accused the state's governor, Rubén Rocha, and nine other current and former authorities of conspiring with Los Chapitos to smuggle drugs into the US. Rocha has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped down temporarily while Mexican prosecutors opened an inquiry of their own into the allegations.

Three weeks ago, he returned to his post, but just days later requested another leave of absence after President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that "power without principles becomes arrogance".

The war between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza has blighted the lives of more than three million people in Sinaloa. Residents are living in fear, with many saying they can't leave their homes due to the constant threat of violence.

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"Fear is everywhere" shared one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. The march was a call for an end to the violence and for the government to take action to protect its citizens.

The conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza began after Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada was arrested in the US. His followers, La Mayiza, allege he was betrayed, while Los Chapitos claim that they were left without a leader.

The two factions have been carrying out ambushes and drive- The violence has also led to an increase in extortions and robberies, official figures suggest.

Sergio Esquer, a leader in the centre-left opposition party Movimiento Ciudadano, organised the protest. He told AFP news agency that more than 5,000 businesses had closed since the start of the feud.

"That's the tragedy Sinaloa is experiencing," Esquer said. The event started with a Mass in which the bishop of Culiacán called on members of the warring groups to put an end to their violence.