9 People Killed During Ambush in Caborca, Sonora

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Rumors on social media say that the attack was carried out by Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel headed by the sons of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. Others say the gunmen worked for local cartel boss Jose Bibiano Cabrera AKA El Durango.

A large shootout over the weekend in Caborca, Sonora, left 9 people dead: seven suspected cartel members and two military men. According to local media reports, the confrontation occurred in the rural community known as Cerro Cañedo, on the outskirts of Caborca proper, when cartel members ambushed a military convoy. Unconfirmed reports say that up to 60 armed civilians attacked security forces.

The officers repelled the attack and killed several triggermen who were posted on the upper part of the hills from where the attack first originated. Investigators said that the assailants were posted in strategic locations in the hills. After security forces called for reinforcements, another onslaught took place when more cartel members arrived and attacked them in a second wave. 

Four soldiers were wounded in this second skirmish, but two of them did not survive. The first soldier who died was Carlos Flores Robledo (aged 23), originally from the state of Chiapas. The second victim died at the hospital a few days later. The violent events continued throughout the day, and people on social media warned residents to avoid the conflict area. Authorities confirmed after the shootout was over that 7 sicarios were killed. Their identities were unknown by press time.

For several months, criminal groups have been competing for control of the municipalities of Caborca, Sonoyta, Pitiquito and Altar. They also want control of the Santa Ana-Magdalena-Ímuris corridor in the north and the Guaymas-Empalme-Cajeme corridor in the south.

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Borderland Beat analysis

As reported by Borderland Beat, much of the violence in Sonora is driven by conflicts between several factions of the Sinaloa Cartel and local drug groups. This turf is a strategic location for drug trafficking given its proximity to the US state of Arizona.

Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel operates there with the support of Los Salazar faction. They are said to be competing with La Plaza and/or the Caborca Cartel, reportedly headed by Rafael Caro Quintero.

Local reports have mentioned that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) may be working with Caro Quintero to fight the Sinaloa Cartel.

Other groups have been reported in the area, including a gang known as Los Jabalies and/or Los Jabalis, formed by the Villagrana family, and Los Memos, headed by Adelmo Niebla González and/or Guillermo Nieblas Nava ('El G3').

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Sources: Expreso (1); (2); (3); Yahoo Noticias; El Imparcial; TH3PR3D4TH0R Mxx (Images); Borderland Beat archives