Authorities in Mexico reported that seven inmates were killed during a violent clash between rival gangs inside a prison in Culiacán, located in the northwestern state of Sinaloa. The incident occurred from Saturday night through Sunday, according to official statements. The prison is known to hold many members of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the country’s most powerful drug organizations.

Sinaloa state’s security ministry stated that the riot has been brought under control, but family visits have been temporarily suspended. The violence is linked to ongoing internal conflicts between factions loyal to the cartel’s co-founders, Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán and Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, both currently imprisoned in the United States. The broader struggle among rival groups has reportedly claimed thousands of lives since 2024.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the latest outbreak of violence or the condition of other inmates.