Miembros del CDS-MF usando un dron para tareas de reconocimiento en los enfrentamientos de días recientes en Escuinapa, Sinaloa.

El dron es de la marca DJI, modelo Matrice 4T.

Recent footage of clashes in San Ignacio, Sinaloa, between H12 Personal de Carlin sicarios affiliated with Los Cabrera and the CDS Mayito Flaco faction and René 00 sicarios affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction.

Operador Dronero del CJNG, armado con un fusil FN SCAR-H, portando un control remoto DJI modelo RC Plus. La fotografía fue tomada en el estado de Michoacán.

Recent footage of clashes in Sinaloa likely in Badiraguato, Sinaloa, where recent fighting took place between sicarios from Gente del Guano/Los Calabazas (affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction) and sicarios from Fuerzas Especiales 28 lead by El Mingo (affiliated with the CDS Mayito Flaco faction and Chapo Isidro).

The “Special Forces Union” between CJNG and the Sinaloa cartel

In late 2024, rumours of an alliance between the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG circulated. Many initially denied the claims, but as more pictures and footage emerged, the allegations were confirmed.

The alliance was named the Fuerzas Especiales Union (FEU), joining forces against the Mayiza branch of the Sinaloa cartel. At some point, an AI generated logo surfaced (slide 4), which has since been adapted, used in narco mantas and hats.

FEU primarily operates in the state of Sinaloa. The two sicarios in slide 1 belong to the Chapitos faction, also known as La Chapiza, as shown by the 🍕 emoji. The text refers to brothers El 80 and El 81, also known as El Gabito and El Casco (helmet, as shown by the 🪖 emoji) respectively.

Slide 3 shows Chapitos sicarios who are part of the FEU somewhere in Sinaloa. They can be seen dressed in full tactical gear as seen by a drone operated by the passenger side sicario.

Combat between the Carteles Unidos and CJNG in Michoacán

Slide 1 shows an assault by members of the United Cartels (CU) against a CJNG position somewhere in Michoacán in June, likely to be the outskirts of either Los Reyes or Cotija.

Notably, the assaulting team are wearing duct tape arm bands for friendly force identification. The point man is also carrying an extra belt of ammunition for the M249 gunner.

Slide 2 shows the CJNG position after it was overrun, made out of sandbags. They recovered weapons, tactical gear and supplies (food, water). At least three CJNG sicarios were killed as seen in the footage.

Also of note, the CU sicarios appear to have recovered commercial emulsion explosives (slide 3), used for mining operations. This will be used to manufacture IEDs and/or drone drop munitions, for which Michoacán is one of the epicentres.

Slides 4-6 show one of the sicarios who participated in the assault, note the distinctive scarf.