Culiacán, Sinaloa: US Issues New Security Alert and Classes, Flights, Buses and Offices are Closed

Yaqui for Borderland Beat from: PoliticaExpansion

Ovidio Guzmán Lopéz, Mexico's Catch and Release Program: Military Catches him but unleashes unprecedented violence. Military says its operation was poorly planned. Due to violence in Sinaloa, the US issues a security alert; government cancels all classes and more.

The US government asks its citizens to avoid the Culiacán area; Governor Quirino Ordaz reports that classes for this Friday were suspended.

The Consulate General of States in Hermosillo issued a security alert for the violent acts that were recorded this Thursday in Culiacán, Sinaloa, for alleged clashes between Mexican state forces and members of organized crime.

Through its official site, the Embassy recommends to US citizens:

· Avoid the area.

· Monitor the news.

· Follow the instructions of the Mexican authorities.

· In case of emergency, call 911.

The US government also provided data to get in touch, if necessary: ​​US Consular Agency in Mazatlan: 01-662-690-3262 to call from Mexico and 1-844-528-6611 from the United States and provided this address Electronics with EmergencyMazatlan@state.gov

Security Alert: https://mx.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-consulate-general-hermosillo-mexico-3/ … https://twitter.com/usconsuladoher/status/1184985132807135232 …

Security Alert - U. S. Consulate General Hermosillo, Mexico | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico

Location:  Culiacan, Sinaloa Event: Consulate General Hermosillo is aware of press reports of violence between Mexican government forces and criminal groups throughout Culiacan, Sinaloa.  

The U. S. Consulate is aware of press reports of violence in Culiacan, Sinaloa.  The U. S. Consulate recommends that all U.S. citizens in the area carefully monitor official announcements and local press reports and follow all official instructions.  http://bit.ly/2nVjsUJ 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the offices of the agency will be closed.

"The offices located in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and the Municipal Liaison Offices located in Guasave, Los Mochis and Mazatlán, will remain closed to the events that have occurred in order to preserve the security and integrity of the applicants and our collaborators."

The state government reported that classes in basic education centers were canceled in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The Autonomous University of Sinaloa suspended classes in all its units.

Additionally it has been announced that other activities were canceled in the city until further notice; For example, the arrival of flights and bus runs are also canceled.

National and international flights to and from Culiacán also have affectations. Some airlines such as Volaris canceled their flights, while Aeromexico presents delays in its service.

Also land transport lines canceled their departure and arrival routes at Culiacán terminals, as well as municipalities of Los Mochis and Mazatlan.

The arrest of Ovidio Guzmán López, son of drug trafficker Joaquín Guzmán Lorea, generated a series of shootings in the state capital, which caused panic among citizens; The government called on the inhabitants to remain calm and keep an eye on official notices.

According to the Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection, Alfonso Durazo , the detention took place this Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Tres Ríos subdivision, which unleashed the attacks of alleged members of organized crime; leading to the operation being called off and the release of Ovid was ordered from the top levels of government which President Lopez Obrador (AMLO) agreed to.