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.

Grupo Cessna a security team for El Capitán del Sur Oriente (C.D.S.O.).

Grupo Cessna operates in the state of Tamaulipas and specializes in using drones for reconnaissance and drone drop bombings. The number of sicarios in Grupo Cessna is unknown, but some higher-ranking members have code names, such as Cessna 10 (identifiable by the C10 on the hat with the anchor insignia referencing C.D.S.O.) and Cessna 2 who has a song dedicated to him called "Cesna 2" by EL DE LA 73, as well as Cessna 14 who also has a song dedicated to him called "Junior Yo Soy (Cessna 14)" by EL DE LA 73 (which can be heard playing in the video of the convoy).

El Capitán del Sur Oriente is part of Cártel del Golfo Grupo Escorpión Operativa 144 (144 is the code name for the plaza he and his men operate in).