Introduction
Trapped by violence and political disputes, Sinaloa’s productive sectors face a critical phase. The countryside suffers from weather conditions and tariff impositions, while services are hampered by growing insecurity. The state administration remains inactive, even before the Culiacan incident.
Economic Turmoil
Over a thousand businesses have closed, nightlife is nearly non-existent, and almost 30,000 jobs have vanished. In Mazatlán, Sinaloa’s primary tourist destination, the halt in construction of 187 towers representing over 50 billion pesos for the construction sector and impacts on the hotel industry—operating at 30% capacity and adjusting prices—reflect a widespread economic crisis.
The Secretary of Agriculture, Julio Berdegué, is a native Sinaloan. His family’s businesses struggle during these tough times, and productive sectors await stimuli to revitalize the local economy amid an inevitable fiscal revenue drop, further weakening Governor Rubén Rocha‘s administration.
First-quarter 2025 federal participation report revealed Sinaloa as the only entity nationwide with a 5.3% decrease in federal allocations.
These restrictions partly stem from the SAT’s decision to revoke a fiscalization agreement with the state, reducing 900 million pesos for federal audits. The state administration had to seek a new 2.2 billion pesos loan from commercial banks.
Upcoming Visit by President Sheinbaum
This weekend, President Claudia Sheinbaum will visit Guasave, facing a desolate situation. Violence has severely impacted Sinaloa’s economy.
Public insecurity perception has reached alarming levels, with 89.7% of Culiacán residents considering it unsafe to live there. Despite these statistics, Governor Rocha has downplayed violence, denying investigations against him for alleged links to organized crime and labeling accusations as smear campaigns.
Rocha’s management has faced criticism for handling violence poorly and failing to provide effective responses. In January 2025, citizens from various Sinaloa zones and municipalities joined a march demanding his resignation.
Sinaloa requires urgent and decisive attention from the federal government. President Sheinbaum faces the challenge of addressing a crisis affecting not just an individual state but also national security and Mexico’s international relations.
Secondary Effects
INTENTIONS. Rumors circulate in radical circles of the 4T about the future of former Defense and Navy secretaries. According to these misleading versions, both aimed to return to their posts and, failing that, now seek incorporation into the diplomatic corps. In Rafael Ojeda Durán’s case, there are other details: his imminent appointment as a resident partner at Acapulco’s exclusive golf club, with five associates recommending his nomination for membership.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Julio Berdegué? A: He is the Secretary of Agriculture and a native Sinaloan. His family’s businesses are struggling due to the current economic situation.
- Q: What is the impact of violence on Sinaloa’s economy? A: Over a thousand businesses have closed, nightlife is nearly non-existent, and almost 30,000 jobs have vanished. The construction and hotel industries are significantly affected.
- Q: How has the state administration responded to the crisis? A: The state administration has sought a new loan from commercial banks due to reduced federal allocations.
- Q: What is the public’s perception of insecurity in Sinaloa? A: In Culiacán, 89.7% of residents consider it unsafe to live there.
- Q: What are the rumors surrounding former Defense and Navy secretaries? A: Rumors suggest they aimed to return to their posts and, failing that, now seek incorporation into the diplomatic corps.
- Q: What is Rafael Ojeda Durán’s next step? A: He is set to become a resident partner at Acapulco’s exclusive golf club, with five associates recommending his nomination.
