How the arrest of one man spiraled Culiacan into horror and bloodshed

Little did the citizens of Culiacan, Sinaloa, realize that they were about to see a scene straight out of an action film when the sun fell on. As a result of the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, the famous ex drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s son, the cartel staged a violent and unprecedented show of strength, sending the city into chaos and disarray as its members came to the streets heavily armed. From the sound of bullets flying past their windows to the smell of burning vehicles filling the air, it was a night that will forever be etched in the memories of those who lived through it.

Image by Encartes

The arrest of Ovidio Guzman is the latest in a series of  arrests of members of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in Mexico. The cartel, which is known for drug trafficking operations, has been responsible for  acts of violence and corruption in the region.

His father, Joaquin Guzman, was in charge of bringing massive amounts of illegal substances, including cocaine and marijuana, into the United States and other countries of the world. He was regarded as one of the most powerful and feared drug traffickers in the world. Joaquin Guzman was detained in 2016 and later extradited to the US, where he was found guilty of many drug trafficking and conspiracy crimes and given a life sentence.

Countless Military soldiers have come face to face with narcos during the events of Ovidios arrest, making a bloody mess out on the streets. It is hard to get an exact estimate but so far there have been more than 25 people injured or killed throughout this operation.

Juan P, a local resident in Sinaloa, knew that the arrest would cause trouble. “Ever since I found out who was arrested on the news, I have been bracing myself for the worst,” he told 8forty. “I knew it was going to be a chaotic situation, and I was right. The news of the arrest has caused a great deal and everyone is in a state of shock and disbelief.”

Juan P believes that this will not end soon. “The individual in question has a significant amount of influence and power, and their arrest is bound to have consequences,” he said. “This is just the beginning, and it’s clear that this is going to be a complete and utter shitshow. All we can do now is wait and see how it all unfolds.”

Another local citizen, Miguel M, tells 8forty that organized crime is a part of life and culture here. “I can’t believe how deeply ingrained this narco culture is in places like Sinaloa, Sonora, and Chihuahua. It’s truly unfortunate,” he told 8forty. “People there look up to these narcos and see them as role models. They hold the distinction of being a narco as a source of honor and pride. It’s a part of their anthropological culture, something that’s been around for a long time.”

Miguel M has ideas about what should be done to narcos in order to put an end to this culture. “Let me tell you, being a narco is not something to be proud of. It’s a harmful ideology and it’s time we start recognizing that. We need to educate the people of these regions and show them that there are better ways to live and better role models to look up to.”

Image by Debate

The situation in Culiacán remains fluid, and it’s uncertain when the city will return to a sense of normalcy. The government has implemented strict measures to contain the situation, including ordering all citizens to stay at home as much as possible.