The ongoing internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel has unveiled a disturbing new facet of regional violence: the systematic targeting of social media influencers. As the fight for control intensifies between “Los Chapitos” (the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán) and “La Mayiza” (the faction led by Ismael Zambada Sicairos), digital creators have transitioned from symbols of internet fame to central figures in a lethal power struggle.
The crisis escalated publicly when flyers were dropped from aircraft across Culiacán, featuring the faces and names of various influencers, musicians, and public figures. These materials explicitly accused those listed of operating as front figures or money launderers for “Los Chapitos,” effectively marking them as targets for the opposing faction. Since the distribution of these lists, several individuals have been murdered, along with members of their families and inner circles, creating a climate of fear throughout the digital creator community.
The SinEmbargo investigation highlights several high-profile cases that underscore this trend:
César Gastélum: Recently murdered in Culiacán while recording a live stream. Although not on the initial flyers, his public associations with the “Mayiza” faction and other controversial figures made him a target.
“Markitos Toys”: One of the most prominent figures in the local influencer scene. While he remains alive, his family and business interests have suffered numerous violent attacks, including the murder of his brother, Gail Castro Cárdenas.
“El Alucín”: Despite fleeing his home state of Sinaloa for Morelos, he was tracked down and executed in August 2025 after being explicitly named on the threats distributed by the “Mayiza” faction.
“El Gordo Peruci” & “El Jasper”: Both were identified on the threatening flyers and subsequently murdered, illustrating the lethal follow-through of these criminal warnings.
This wave of violence has forced many creators to limit their public activity or seek refuge outside the region. The tragedy of these influencers serves as a grim indicator of how deeply organized crime has integrated with digital culture, turning the tools of social media—formerly used for branding and entertainment—into liabilities that invite deadly retaliation in the shadows of the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal war.
Source: https://www.sinembargo.mx
