Thousands of people dressed in white filled the streets of Culiacán on Sunday.
They demanded an end to the violence that has turned daily life in Mexico’s Sinaloa state into a nightmare.
Residents carried photographs of missing relatives and signs reading, “We don’t want fear, we want peace.”
The protest marked two years since rival Sinaloa cartel factions, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, began fighting.
The fighting began after the arrest of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the US.
Since then, murders, disappearances, extortion and robberies have surged.
Culiacán Counts Its Losses
Roadblocks, hijackings and deadly shootings have become part of life for many residents.
The march brought together victims’ families, businesses, civil groups and the Catholic Church. During a Mass, Culiacán’s bishop appealed directly to the warring groups.
“No amount of power, of money, territory or ambition is worth more than a human life,” he said.
The economic damage has also been severe. Businessman Sergio Esquer said more than 5,000 businesses have closed since the conflict began.
And the crisis extends into politics, with allegations of cartel links involving Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha, who denies wrongdoing.
After two years of fear, residents are asking a basic question: how much more must Culiacán lose before the guns finally fall silent?
