SAA event in Mexico on Mon 17th November 2025

A massive, coordinated operation between federal and state forces in the town of El Guasimal, near Culiacán, Sinaloa, resulted in the arrest of nine gunmen and the seizure of an arsenal that included two machine guns.

The operation was launched following a citizen report of a heavy confrontation between armed civilians. The deployment was carried out by members of the Sinaloa Special Operations Group (GOES) of the State Preventive Police and the Mexican Army, in coordination with the National Guard, the Navy, the State Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Attorney General's Office (FGR), and the Sinaloa State Attorney General's Office.

After receiving the report of the shootout in El Guasimal, security forces activated a ground and air operation with helicopter support. During initial reconnaissance of the area, authorities confirmed the intensity of the confrontation.

They found four gunmen dead near two vehicles with their doors open. Expanding the search, they located one more deceased individual, bringing the total to six confirmed casualties from the gun battle. All the bodies were armed with assault rifles. Subsequently, while continuing their search of the area, authorities apprehended nine armed civilians.

Once the area was secured, authorities confirmed the seizure of high-powered weaponry and tactical equipment:

1 Minimi machine gun, 5.56 x 44 mm caliber

1 Ordnance machine gun, 7.62 x 51 mm caliber

21 long guns

48 magazines, 5.56 x 45 mm caliber

106 magazines, 7.62 x 39 mm caliber

1 drum magazine

18 ballistic vests with their respective plates

1,150 rounds of 5.56 x 45 mm caliber ammunition

2,050 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm caliber ammunition

3 vehicles, 2 with improvised armor plating. The detained civilians and all the seized criminal material were turned over to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office for further investigation.