War between the CJNG and Sinaloa Cartel Keeps Chiapas Immobilized

Violence increased in 2021 when both organizations entered into a dispute for power in the territory

The recent murder of Father Marcelo Pérez in the community of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, coupled with the latest data revealed by the National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) that placed the city of Tapachula as the most unsafe city nationwide, have highlighted the escalation of violence in the state, derived from two antagonistic groups that dispute criminal operations in the territory.

Being a border area, the state is located as a hotbed of Mexican cartels dedicated to human, arms and narcotics trafficking. The situation worsened in 2021, when the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) came to occupy southern areas previously controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel, which meant an increase in violence, according to an analysis by InsightCrime.

The crimes perpetrated by members of both criminal groups include extortion, armed attacks, disappearances, the throwing of explosives at homes and roadblocks, to name a few. In addition, to continue the fight, the cartels have taken residents hostage or forcibly recruited them into their ranks to collaborate in illegal activities.

However, organized crime has not been satisfied with forcing people to participate in acts of violence, but has also integrated citizens specialized in certain trades to assist them in plumbing, electrical work, and even as errand boys.

Due to this, the number of forced displacements has increased and many families have chosen to leave their homes. According to data revealed by InsightCrime, in July 2024 it was recorded that 580 Mexican citizens left Amatenango de la Frontera to go to Guatemala.

“The incident was a rare example of migrants from Mexico moving to Central America to escape the effects of violence, and not the other way around, as usual,” it said.

As part of the strategies to combat the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel in the state, governments of the countries that share territorial boundaries have launched security actions. On several occasions, the Guatemalan Army has deployed soldiers along the kilometers that comprise the border. For its part, the Mexican government has carried out similar actions.

Original article by Karen Sánchez, Infobae, October 22, 2024.
Translated by Schools for Chiapas.

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