The State of Sin(aloa)

My recent trip to a State Department red zone

All photographs ©Brian Overcast

On October 31, 2024, the US State Department issued a travel advisory for Culiacan and Mazatlan in the western state of Sinaloa, Mexico because of the recent uptick in cartel violence.  One week later, Mireya and I arrived there for our nephew’s wedding.

Back in February of this year, I did another post on safety for tourists in Mexico:

Lest you think I am one of those tornado-searching, stare-down-death adrenaline seekers, I am not. Yet, over the years I have become somewhat skeptical of the news which (understandably) highlights the shootouts, in this case the narco war between the Mayos and the Chapitos that is taking place in and around the capital city of Culiacan.

Upon seeing the news describe Culiacan as a war zone, you might visualize bomb-torn buildings like Gaza. Gunfights in the streets. Sorry to disappoint, but it is nothing like that.

Granted, there were fewer tourists in Mazatlan, a welcome relief. My morning stroll on the malecon (Mazatlan’s …