This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
On October 17, 2019, a botched operation to capture Ovidio Guzman, son of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, descended into chaos when heavily armed cartel members launched a fierce assault on security forces in Culiacan, Sinaloa.
Eight people lost their lives in the ensuing violence, with streets littered with burning vehicles.
Attorney General Alejandro Gertz vowed to conduct a thorough investigation, stating, "We will be carrying out an exhaustive investigation to determine the responsibility of all those involved, on both sides."
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has faced criticism for the decision to release Ovidio Guzman, but maintains that the move was made to protect civilians.
"That's not his job," Gertz said, when asked if the decision came directly from the president.
As the investigation unfolds, Lopez Obrador has expressed his willingness to testify, stating, "My conscience is clear."
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has pointed to the United States as a source of the guns used in the clashes, citing a phone call between Lopez Obrador and US President Donald Trump as a potential turning point in addressing the issue of arms trafficking.
