Mexican authorities have reported a successful rescue operation involving 42 hostages, including 18 children, who were held by criminal groups in Sinaloa state. The incident unfolded amidst a surge in kidnappings, prompting the deployment of over 600 special force troops to bolster security measures.
Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha disclosed that a concerted effort led by police and military forces is ongoing to locate an additional 24 individuals who remain captive.
The mass abductions occurred on Friday across various areas in the La Noria region, situated outside the capital city of Culiacan. Gerardo Mérida, the local public security chief, revealed that members of criminal factions seized control of at least three families, exacerbating tensions in the region.
In response, federal authorities swiftly dispatched special forces troops to Sinaloa to aid in the search for the missing individuals. Furthermore, an additional 300 soldiers, along with a battalion from the National Guard, have been mobilized to reinforce security operations in the area.
Despite concerted efforts, local authorities have refrained from attributing responsibility for the mass kidnappings, which unfolded just a day after three fatalities were reported in the state’s Badiraguato region.
The recent incidents underscore the persistent challenges faced by Culiacan and other cities in Sinaloa, marked by violent episodes often linked to the activities of the influential Sinaloa cartel.