Background and Relevance
The Sea of Cortez region, comprising five Mexican states—Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Nayarit—faces significant economic and social development challenges due to internal cartel violence, particularly within the Sinaloa Cartel. This region heavily relies on tourism, fishing, and agriculture for its economy. The Fifth Forum of the Sea of Cortez brought together experts to discuss these pressing issues.
Key Players and Their Roles
Eduardo Guerrero Gutiérrez, a partner and director of Lantia Intelligence, highlighted Culiacán’s rise as Mexico’s most violent city since September 2024, surpassing Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez. He emphasized that the conflict in Culiacán will likely persist throughout Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidential term due to the complexity of reducing violence amidst an open war involving numerous criminal cells with significant financial resources, drugs, and weapons.
Alberto Capella Ibarra, a former security public secretary in three entities, warned about the growing criminal financial ecosystem affecting the region. He pointed out that extortion has become the fastest-growing crime in the last two years, distorting the formal economy and normalizing narco-related lifestyles.
Impact on Key Industries
The extortion issue affects various sectors in the Sea of Cortez region, from shrimp producers to bar owners. María Elena Morera of Causa en Común explained how this criminal activity impacts businesses and residents alike.
Challenges Facing the Region
During the forum’s second day, insecurity was identified as a primary obstacle to economic development. Tensions exist between those seeking security and justice and institutions unable to provide it, as well as entrepreneurs striving for prosperity and criminal organizations controlling the economy. Public services are overwhelmed, housing unaffordable, and neighborhoods lacking basic necessities.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue affecting the Sea of Cortez region’s development? Insecurity, primarily due to internal cartel violence within the Sinaloa Cartel, poses significant challenges to the region’s economic and social development.
- Which industries are most affected by the growing criminal financial ecosystem? Extortion has become a major concern, distorting the formal economy and normalizing narco-related lifestyles across various sectors, including tourism, fishing, and agriculture.
- What are the consequences of insecurity for residents and businesses? Insecurity leads to tensions between those seeking security and justice and institutions unable to provide it. It also affects entrepreneurs striving for prosperity and creates unaffordable housing and neighborhoods lacking basic necessities.
- What are the potential long-term effects of unchecked criminal activities? If not addressed promptly, the violence could spread like an epidemic in the region, further devaluing destinations and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.
