Sedena denies capture of Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, leader of Los Chapitos, during a violent day in Culiacan

‘El Chapito’, leader of ‘Los Chapitos’, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. (Credit: Jovani Pérez | Infobae Mexico)

On the afternoon of August 29, various drug blockades and clashes between members of the Pacific Cartel were reported, where Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, leader of Los Chapitos, was allegedly captured. However, the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) confirmed to Infobae Mexico that this was not the case.

The first reports of clashes between armed civilians and Mexican Army troops occurred in the town of Paredones, located in the municipality of Jesús María, where Ovidio Guzmán López, alias El Ratón, was captured in January 2023.

The information that emerged stated that the clashes occurred when elements of the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) entered the town and were attacked by armed civilians.

Part of the violence recorded in the area (Photo: X/@aarontuit)

These clashes spread to the area where overturned vehicles and burning of them were reported.

The Sedena elements who came to the aid of their colleagues were blocked by armed men so that they could not help.

The mayor of Culiacán, Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil, reported on his social networks that “as a result of actions by the security forces of the Federal Government, in the municipality of Jesús María, north of the municipality of Culiacán, incidents of insecurity have been reported focused on that area, on Mexico Highway 15.”

Although the clashes took place on Mexico Highway 15, in the city of Culiacán there were reports of businesses closing and people panicking in anticipation of a more violent reaction from criminal groups. Culiacán is the stronghold of Los Chapitos and has witnessed other acts of violence, such as the one that occurred in October 2019, an event known as Culiacanazo.

The operation in Culiacán Credit: @yair291012

For this reason, the Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat called on “citizens to remain calm, as the competent authorities are in charge of what is happening in Culiacán.”

For his part, the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rochan Moya, also asked the population of Culiacán to remain calm.

“The situation that has come to light is being addressed and is focused outside the city. In any case, it is recommended to pay attention to official information and avoid information that is issued unofficially with the sole purpose of causing alarm.”

He explained that the clashes began with an attack by armed civilians on federal forces in a community in the Jesús María district, in northern Culiacán.

“In light of this incident, a coordinated deployment was carried out with the participation of authorities from all three levels of government. This led to civilians setting fire to two vehicles on Mexico Highway 15, near El Limón de los Ramos, with the aim of obstructing the action of the authorities, which are the images that have been circulating on social media,” he commented.

Sedena confirmed to Infobae Mexico that no one was arrested during these events and that it was a confrontation between military personnel and hitmen from the Sinaloa Cartel.

Journalist Azucena Uresti previously reported unofficially on the capture of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, for whom the DEA is offering a reward of 10 million dollars.

Meanwhile, journalist Luis Chaparro shared a video showing federal agents in the area of ​​the clashes where they allegedly sought to arrest Jorge Humberto Figueroa, alias El 27 or El Perris, head of security for Los Chapitos and accused of being in charge of tying up Mayo Zambada on July 25 before he was taken to the United States.

“This is the exact location, where Mexican military and national guardsmen arrived to carry out a ‘priority target’ arrest. Sources say they were close to capturing El Perris (also known as El 27) and other members of Los Chapitos’ inner security circle. No arrests were made,” the journalist explained on his X account.

Another version that was made known was that the Sedena elements had the objective of capturing El 24, a member of Los Chimales, who works for the Guzmán family.

“On the 24th he was meeting with a young man named Abraham Guzmán, an unknown figure who will probably soon be in the news,” reported the media outlet Illicit Investigations.