As the turf war between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza — the two most prominent factions of the Sinaloa Cartel fighting for control of the organization — nears its one-year mark in September, both groups are reportedly recruiting adolescents from other parts of Mexico and sending them to Sinaloa to fight on their behalf.
The conflict, which has claimed nearly 2,000 lives over the past 11 months, has driven both factions to adopt increasingly aggressive tactics and recruitment methods. From fake job postings to the direct targeting of individuals in rehabilitation centers, Los Chapitos and Los Mayos have allegedly turned to a new strategy: enlisting young people and using them as cannon fodder in Sinaloa.
