Another chapter in the eternal Sinaloa war
The Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) announced this Thursday the deployment of 1,600 more troops to Sinaloa. Among them, 90 are members of the Special Forces Corps. They traveled in four heavy transport aircraft of the Mexican Air Force bound for Culiacán and Mazatlán.
The official objective, according to the statement, is clear: “to reinforce operational deployment” and “contribute to actions to inhibit the illicit activities of criminal groups.” Sounds like a broken record, right? The same song with different instruments.
The small print of the operation
The mission described is textbook: coordination with authorities, deterrence, prevention and patrol tasks. All “adhering to the Law” and “respecting Human Rights.” The script is impeccable. The execution, that is another story that we already know.
This is not the first reinforcement. It is the second group of special forces to arrive in days. On December 23, 150 rifle paratroopers arrived. And just before, on Saturday the 20th, 180 more elements of the same elite corps arrived.
The military authorities detailed that there are already ten battalions deployed in the area, totaling some 2,500 troops. A figure that speaks for itself about the size of the challenge they face.
“…act in coordination with the authorities…carrying out deterrence, prevention and patrol tasks that generate an environment of tranquility…”
The official statement insists that all this is part of “a broader strategy to improve security.” It seeks to “reduce the activity of criminal groups and guarantee tranquility.” Noble words. The reality on the streets of Sinaloa will be the one who gives the final verdict on its effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the planes continue to arrive. The soldiers disembark. And an entire region hopes, once again, that this time it will be different.
