Several narco-blockades, some with burned vehicles, were reported this Saturday at various access points to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, state sources reported.
According to initial reports, armed groups forced truck drivers and delivery trucks to cross their vehicles onto highways such as Highways 510 and 512, which serve as access points to the tourist port from towns such as Villa Unión, Siqueros, La Noria, El Chilillo, Puerra de Canoas, El Habla, among others.
Traffic from Culiacán was also affected, with dozens of vehicles stranded.
The blockades caused anxiety among visitors, merchants who come from their communities to sell products on the boardwalk, and local residents, who parked their vehicles on the shoulders of the road while waiting for authorities.
The port, sources reported, is crowded with tourists due to the long weekend.
Families took refuge in restaurants and businesses. Alerts received by emergency services reported an initial blockage at an overpass connecting Mazatlán with Villa Unión and then with towns such as El Roble and Siqueros.
It was reported that a trailer was crossed there, apparently set on fire. Then, on the road leading to El Habal and then to Puerta de Canoas, another truck was set on fire while blocking both directions.
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The criminals also placed downed trees and rocks on the roads.
In the community of El Recodo, a dump truck was placed on the bridge that connects to the Mazatlán Bypass and leads to the town of El Roble.
Another piece of material was burned on the state highway toward La Noria.
The situation prompted the mobilization of Army and National Guard personnel, in coordination with state and local authorities, to attempt to control the situation.
Just yesterday, armed groups engaged in a series of shootings and placed tire-punching devices in Culiacán, Elota, and Cosalá.
Access to towns was also reported to have been blocked. Social media users also reported a shooting on the Culiacán-Mazatlán highway between kilometers 100 and 85.
Another shooting and the use of tire-punching devices were reported at the Cruz de Elota intersection to prevent authorities from entering the southern part of the municipality of Culiacán.
Reports indicated the presence of armed individuals aboard several vehicles.
Sinaloa is experiencing a wave of violent executions, shootings, and blockades, primarily due to the dispute between the organized crime factions “Los Mayitos” and “Los Chapitos.”
The feud between these two groups of the Sinaloa Cartel has intensified since last September, resulting in more than 500 intentional homicides.
Source: diario
