By Natalia Rueda 
Surge in Violence
Recent surge in violence in Sinaloa, marked by numerous executions and disappearances, raises the question of the root cause of the destabilization. The Mexican state has witnessed a vicious conflict between rival drug cartels, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, that has left numerous casualties in its wake. This onslaught of violence has led to a wave of public outrage and brought the federal and state government’s capacities into question.
President AMLO’s Account
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has attributed the wave of violence to external intervention by the United States. He argues that the US’s active role in the arrest of leading cartel figures, including El Mayo Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, has caused significant destabilization, leading to the recent warfare between rival factions.
Public Reactions and Controversy
Public outcry ensues as the violence affects daily life in Sinaloa, hindering normal societal functioning including education for children. There is growing resentment from citizens who fault the president for blaming external factors without taking significant domestic efforts to curtail the violence.
Salient questions like the relationship between the Mexican government and the Sinaloa cartel also add to the controversy. The president’s critics have presented contrasting views, focusing on the possible deep-rooted corruption within local institutions. They criticize the government for not accepting its share of responsibility in the ongoing crisis.