The violent conflict between two Sinaloa cartel factions that has terrorized northern Mexico since September has taken the lives of hundreds of people, including civilians, law enforcement and even internet celebrities.
At least four influencers have been killed in the ongoing turf wars between "Los Chapitos" and "La Mayiza," who keep fighting over control of smuggling routes and territories. On Jan. 9, brochures were dropped from small planes all over the the municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa, claiming that three of the influencers killed in recent months had links to the "Chapitos."
As The Latin Times reported in recent weeks, criminal groups have relied on social media to spread their message and gain support for their cause. In late October a famous Culiacán TikToker known as "El Chilango" was killed by two men while recording one of his videos.
Almost two months later, another internet celebrity known as "El Gordo Peruci" met the same fate after a group of armed men opened fire against him and his wife.
In late November, another YouTuber was murdered in Culiacán due to his alleged ties to "Los Chapitos." Jesús Miguel Vivanco García, also known as "El Jasper," was found dead in a remote location in Culiacán. Authorities that found his body confirmed "El Jasper" had been the victim of an attack that left 70 gunshot wounds all over his body.
Vivanco García made several collaborations with Marcos Eduardo Castro Cárdenas, also known as "Markitos Toys," another famous Culiacán YouTuber with alleged ties to "Los Chapitos."
The latest internet celebrity to join the list of victims was Agustín Paúl, alias "El Pinky." Authorities found his dead body on Jan. 10 in the city of Culiacán and his body had signs of torture as well as multiple gunshot wounds.
After authorities confirmed his death, a video started circulating social media in which "El Pinky" allegedly confessed to hitmen of "Los Chapitos" of being a whistleblower for a rival faction.
"Why do they have you here?," a man can be heard asking Paúl, to which he replied "because I shared information about where the 'Chapitos' were located."
More than four month since the violent conflict erupted, the new year has already seen its fair share of victims. According to El País, 45 deaths were reported in Sinaloa during the first week of 2025, with the majority of them (32) taking place in the capital city of Culiacán.
Additionally, Sinaloa's Attorney General's Office reported that at least 22 people have been kidnapped during the same time frame in Culiacán.
Originally published on Latin Times
