News about David Martínez

The notorious Sinaloa cartel been reluctant historically to face off against US law enforcement for fear of an overwhelming backlash. But that reluctance has been abandoned after the arrest of two senior figures sparked a battle for control of the multi-billion dollar cartel among younger members. 'They fear no-one anymore, especially US law enforcement,' former Homeland Security Investigation agent Victor Avila.

The month-long Sinaloa Cartel internal conflict has reached another chapter as gunmen have reportedly been intercepting the youth over potential links to rivals. Gunmen across Culiacán, the capital of the northwestern state of Sinaloa, routinely approach people on the streets or in cars and instruct them to turn over their mobile devices. They result in killing the owner of the phone if they find the contact of a member of a rival faction, a chat with a wrong word or a photo with the wrong person. They will then target everyone on that person's contact list, forming a potential chain of kidnapping, torture and death.