In Sinaloa, a state in northwestern Mexico, some residents are expressing a willingness to consider U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of U.S. military intervention to combat the escalating drug-related violence.
Trump has hinted at the possibility of U.S. military involvement against the cartels and has urged the State Department to designate them as "foreign terrorist organizations."
While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed doubts about the likelihood of U.S. military action, citing concerns over national sovereignty, residents in Sinaloa, where a violent power struggle among cartels has resulted in numerous casualties, are voicing support for Trump's proposal.
"People have taken to the streets in protest twice this past week due to the worsening situation," stated Apolinar Garcia, one of the demonstrators in Culiacan. At the march, participants in white shirts carried signs, chanted for peace, and even burned effigies of local officials.
Garcia advocated for the Mexican government to engage in discussions with Trump to find collaborative solutions to quell the violence. Another protester, Irama Garcia, expressed openness to assistance from the U.S., Europe, or any international organization that could help end the bloodshed, emphasizing the urgent need for support.
While the Mexican government has made efforts to address the situation in Sinaloa through arrests and drug seizures, combatting the heavily armed cartels poses the risk of further violence escalation.
In response, Sheinbaum assured the people of Sinaloa that the government is actively working to address the issue on a daily basis.