A boy with a dirty face and a serious expression looks directly at the camera.
MEXICO

37 minors have lost their lives in the conflict between La Mayiza and La Chapiza in Sinaloa.

The drug war has resulted in more than a thousand victims among the dead and missing due to the terrorist cartels

The violence between the factions of Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, of the Cártel de Sinaloa, has claimed a tragic toll in the last eight months. According to data from the Secretariado de Seguridad Pública (SESESP), at least 37 minors have lost their lives during this armed conflict.

"From September 2024 to March 2025 there is a total of 37 minor victims"

Reported Ricardo Jenny del Rincón, head of SESESP.

"The ages range from two to 17 years"

A man with a beard and glasses is sitting in front of a microphone at a table with water bottles and a decorative background.
Ricardo Jenny del Rincón, security spokesperson | La Derecha Diario

He also added that these minors have been direct or collateral victims of the violence in the region.

The official explained that there is no precise breakdown of the circumstances of each case, but the deaths are linked to organized crime.

"We don't have the precise data on whether it was in a confrontation, a collateral victim, or by a stray bullet. Ultimately, they are victims linked to these criminal acts", he noted.

A white truck with the door open has a message painted in black that says
Violence in Sinaloa is rampant | La Derecha Diario

Among the victims are minors as young as two, six, nine, and twelve years old. The most affected group is teenagers aged 13 to 17, who have represented the majority of the deaths.

Jenny del Rincón also highlighted that not all minors have been collateral victims.  Some, unfortunately, have been recruited by criminal organizations and have lost their lives participating in criminal acts.

A collage of children's drawings depicting scenes with vehicles, people, and buildings, some with elements like weapons and explosions.
Armed confrontations are a part of everyday life that stays in the minds of minors | La Derecha Diario

Voluntary Disarmament Strategy in Sinaloa

In light of this situation, the government of Sinaloa has announced the launch of the Voluntary Disarmament Program 2025. The program aims to incentivize the anonymous surrender of weapons and explosives in exchange for financial compensation.

The initiative will begin on April 7 in the municipalities of Salvador Alvarado, Mocorito, and Angostura, and will subsequently extend to the entire state.

A man in military uniform and a yellow helmet holds a tool while another soldier stands behind him.
The government seeks to disarm the population | La Derecha Diario

The program, now in its fourth consecutive year, allows citizens to surrender weapons anonymously without fear of reprisals. Once received, they are destroyed by personnel from the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA).

Depending on the caliber and type of weapon, economic incentives are granted, which this year have been increased. For example, submachine guns can now be exchanged for between $13,000 and $15,000. Semi-automatic rifles and machine guns can be exchanged for a similar value of $15,000 pesos.

The state government seeks with this strategy to reduce the number of weapons in circulation by disarming the population. Time will tell how effective the government's strategy is, where evidently, it maintains the stance of not combating the narco.

Child's drawing showing vehicles with people and weapons, with black and red strokes, and the text
Drawing by a 7-year-old child | La Derecha Diario
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