Sinaloa Cartel Clashes: 11 Suspects Killed, Mayo Zambada’s Daughter Briefly Detained

Eleven suspected criminals were killed Thursday in a Mexican Navy operation in the state of Sinaloa, the heartland of the Sinaloa Cartel, authorities reported. The operation, conducted across multiple municipalities, targeted a faction known as “Los Mayos,” currently engaged in a violent territorial dispute.

According to security officials, the deployment involved intervention at a property believed to be linked to Los Mayos. Naval personnel subsequently located another building used by members of the same group – which is battling factions led by the sons of Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán – resulting in a shootout. The Navy reported seizing high-powered weaponry at the scene.

The Navy stated in a statement posted on X that its members responded to an attack from a building used by a group affiliated with Los Mayos. One individual linked to the “Mayo” Zambada faction was also detained during the operation, though authorities later released the daughter of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the incarcerated leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, due to a lack of evidence linking her to criminal activity. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the individual was Zambada’s daughter.

The operation comes amid heightened security alerts across Mexico following the military’s killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in February, sparking fears of increased violence. Mexico is also preparing to co-host matches for the FIFA World Cup in June, anticipating a surge in tourism.

The conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel intensified after the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in 2024, following his alleged handover to U.S. Authorities by one of Guzmán’s sons. Since September 9, 2024, the struggle between Los Chapitos and Los Mayos has reportedly resulted in over 1,800 deaths and more than 2,400 disappearances in Sinaloa, according to the State Council for Public Security (CESP).

In January, Mexico deployed an additional 1,600 military personnel to Sinaloa in an attempt to quell the ongoing violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to address the high homicide rate in the state, but violent incidents have continued throughout the year.