What do the “Sombreros” on the heads of the executed mean?

CULIACAN, SINALOA.- Five bodies were recently found near a water park on the outskirts of Culiacán, Mexico, a display of violence linked to the ongoing conflict between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The corpses were positioned against a wall, adorned with large sombreros on their heads and smaller ones on their bodies, in what appeared to be a deliberate and symbolic gesture, according to a recount by specialized journalist Ioan Grillo.

The incident is part of a growing trend of “body messaging,” where cartels leave cryptic signs on or near victims to send messages. Though the exact meaning is often unclear, Grillo explained, the sombreros could be a reference to the “Mayiza,” a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.

It remains uncertain whether the victims were Mayiza or if the killers left the hats as a taunt. This ambiguity is common in the escalating cartel war between the Mayiza and their rivals, the “Chapitos,” the journalist said. Days earlier, a severed head was discovered in a pizza box on a Culiacán street, possibly referencing the Chapitos, who are nicknamed “Chapiza” (a play on the word pizza).

This wave of violence comes as the internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel, which began on September 9, continues to paralyze the city of Culiacán.

The fighting has led to an increase in murders, kidnappings, and fear among residents. Businesses and schools in the city, which has a population of one million, remained closed for a week after the violence erupted, marking an unprecedented level of disruption in a region long accustomed to cartel-related unrest. The economic impact has been significant, with many residents unable to work, adding to the growing anxiety.

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Source: International Business Times

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