Title: Narco Violence Surges in Mexico: 21,524 Homicides in 10 Months
The Secretariat of Public Security (SESNSP) reported that between January and October 2024, 21,524 homicide investigations were opened in Mexico, a figure that highlights the alarming wave of violence plaguing the country. More than half of the victims were killed in seven states where drug cartels fight for control of plazas and drug trafficking routes.
States with the Highest Murder Rates
The states with the most homicides are:
- Guanajuato (2,119)
- Baja California (1,788)
- State of México (1,689)
- Chihuahua (1,421)
- Nuevo León (1,368)
- Jalisco (1,224)
- Guerrero (1,219)
- Morelos (1,25)
- Michoacán (78)
Sinaloa, with 556 homicides, stands out due to the war between Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and Ismael Zambada Sicairos, who dispute control of the Sinaloa Cartel. Other significant figures driving violence in these nine states include:
Karem Elizabeth Yépez Ortiz ("La Señora")
Sister of José Antonio Yépez Ortiz ("El Marro"), she leads the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL), responsible for extortions, robberies, fuel theft, and mass killings like those in Salvatierra and the bar Los Cantaritos in Querétaro.
Baja California: A Prize for Cartels
The proximity to California, the primary consumption center in the United States, makes Baja California an attractive target for cartels. The region hosts the following groups:
- Cártel de los Arellano Félix (CAF)
- Pablo Edwin Huerta Niño ("El Flakito")
- Fernando Sánchez Arellano, son of Enedina Arellano Félix, the CAF’s true leader.
- La Mayiza
- Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix ("El Ruso"), leader of Los Rusos, allies of La Mayiza and enemies of Los Chapitos.
- Los Chapitos
- Omar Eluggestion García Sosa, son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
- Cártel de Sinaloa
-ulturados de Putudes ("El Javi" or "El Puma"), sent by the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG) to negotiate an alliance with the CAF. - Cártel de Los Salazar
- Crispín Salazar Zamorano ("El Tío Pin")
- René and Alfonso Arzate García ("La Rana" and "El Aquiles"), leaders in Baja California.
Key Players in Other States
- Estado de México: La Nueva Familia Michoacana, led by José Alfredo ("El Fresa") and Johnny ("El Pez") Hurtado Olascoaga.
- Guerrero: The state is riddled with criminal groups like Los Tlacos, Los Ardillos, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, CJNG, Cártel Independiente de Acapulco (CIDA), and Los Rusos.
- Morelos: CJNG, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and the Cártel del Noreste are active, with "El Pez", "La Fresa", and Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes as key leaders.
- Michoacán: Groups like Los Viagras, Los Blancos de Troya, Cártel de Tepalcatepec, and Los Caballeros Templarios extort producers. Leaders include Nicolás Sierra Santana ("El Gordo"), César Arellano Sepúlveda ("El Botox"), Juan José Farías Álvarez, and Homero González Silva ("El Gallito").
The homicide figures paint a disturbing picture of the ongoing violence in Mexico. As authorities strive to rein in criminal organizations, it is crucial to monitor the situation and support efforts to reduce violence and promote justice.
