Battle of Culiacán
| Battle of Culiacán | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Mexican Drug War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mexican National GuardSupported by police, security services | Sinaloa Cartel | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| At least 2 killed | At least five killed | ||||||
| At least 14 deaths in total, including 4 civilians, 21 injured [1] | |||||||
The Battle of Culiacán was a failed operation by the Mexican National Guard to capture Ovidio Guzmán López (son of Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán) who is wanted in the United States for drug trafficking.
On 18 October 2019, a large convoy of vehicles drove up to Guzmán's house in Culiacán to execute a warrant from a US judge when it came under fire. The military succeeded in capturing Guzmán but quickly found themselves surrounded by cartel enforcers. Cartel gunmen began to attack government and military targets around the city, and massive towers of smoke could be seen rising from burning cars and vehicles. The gangsters were well-equipped, with bulletproof vests and heavy machine guns. In the end, Guzmán was released after eight servicemen were taken hostage.[2]
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador defended the decision to release Guzmán, arguing it prevented further loss of life.[3]
References
- ^ Vizcarra, Marcos (21 October 2019). "Suman 14 muertos por balaceras en Culiacán". Reforma.
- ^ Linthicum, Kate (18 October 2019). "Eight killed in Mexico as cartel gunmen force authorities to release El Chapo's son". LA Times.
- ^ "El Chapo: Mexican president says police 'did right' to free drug lord's son". BBC News. 18 October 2019.