Mexican authorities discovered a gruesome scene near Culiacán, Sinaloa, where 20 bodies were found between June 29 and 30 amid escalating cartel violence. Four of the victims were decapitated and hung upside down from a highway bridge, with their severed heads placed nearby in a plastic bag. Beneath the bridge, a white van contained 16 more male bodies, all shot and one also decapitated. A threatening message, or “narco-banner,” was left on the van, signaling this was a deliberate act of intimidation between rival factions.
The massacre is linked to an ongoing internal war within the Sinaloa Cartel, between the faction known as “Los Chapitos,” led by El Chapo’s sons, and “La Mayiza,” aligned with the family of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. This violent feud intensified following the arrests of both El Mayo and one of El Chapo’s sons in mid-2024, sparking a bloody power struggle over key trafficking routes. June 2025 has become the deadliest month of the conflict, with nearly 3,000 people killed or reported missing across Sinaloa. While authorities claim to be regaining control, many residents believe the state has effectively lost its grip on cartel-dominated regions.
About the Author
