By Respected Sinaloan media outlet El Debate fell victim to a brazen attack on Friday when gunmen sprayed its office building and several vehicles with bullets. The incident occurs against the backdrop of an intensifying conflict between the two largest factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, highlighting the escalating violence in the northwestern Mexican state.
El Debate, known for its coverage of violent events across Sinaloa, reported the early morning attack on social media. The local prosecutor’s office, led by Claudia Sanchez, confirmed an ongoing investigation into the incident, which fortunately resulted in no casualties. Sanchez stated that at least four vehicles were damaged by gunfire, while videos released by El Debate show bullet impacts on the building’s facade.
The attack comes amid a surge of violence in Sinaloa that began on September 9, when hostilities erupted between the two most powerful groups within the Sinaloa Cartel. This ongoing conflict has severely disrupted daily life in the state capital, Culiacán, forcing schools to close intermittently and businesses to reduce operating hours.
Prosecutor Sanchez provided grim statistics on the toll of the cartel war, reporting 172 homicides and 209 kidnappings since the conflict began, with 72 kidnap victims found alive and 27 deceased.
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack on El Debate, underscoring the government’s concern over the escalating violence. In response to the crisis, the federal government has deployed hundreds of military personnel equipped with armored vehicles and high-powered weapons to Sinaloa. However, these forces have struggled to quell the ongoing violence effectively.
The attack on El Debate raises serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Sinaloa, a region long plagued by cartel violence. As one of the state’s primary news sources, El Debate plays a crucial role in informing the public about the ongoing conflict and its impact on local communities.
