Hundreds of demonstrators surged through the Government Palace of Sinaloa, demanding the resignation of Governor Ruben Rocha Moya amid calls for justice for Gael and Alexander Sarmiento Ruiz, two children murdered alongside their father, Antonio, on January 19. The protest, organized by Victor Aispuro, principal of the children's primary school, far exceeded expectations as family members, classmates, and countless others frustrated by the state's violence took to the streets.
The march commenced at the school, where participants released white balloons to honor the victims. The group quickly grew larger, moving toward the Government Palace, chanting slogans such as "¡Fuera Rocha, fuera Rocha! ¡Narcogobierno!, ¡asesino, asesino!" and "¡Con los niños, no!" Their demands were emblazoned on walls, as some even resorted to using their own blood to underline the urgency of their message.
Upon arriving at the Government Palace, protestors found state police barricading the entrance, attempting to deflect the influx of demonstrators. Without any promise of dialogue from state officials, the crowd's frustration boiled over, leading to the destruction of glass doors as they forcibly made their way inside.
Once within the palace courtyard, the demonstrators insisted on seeing Governor Rocha, but they were met with unyielding silence. Angered by Rocha's previous dismissive comments about the violence plaguing Sinaloa—over 700 killings and numerous disappearances—the protesters attempted to advance to the third floor where the governor's office resides. Again, they encountered closed doors.
Desperate for recognition and dialogue, demonstrators vandalized state offices, breaking through walls with chairs and other objects. The situation escalated until government personnel finally conceded to meet with representatives, including the grieving mother of Gael and Alexander, who was met with chants of "¡No estás sola, no estás sola!" This emotional affirmation underscored the community's solidarity behind her suffering.
Despite this engagement, Governor Rocha Moya did not appear before the protesters at any point, with officials instead claiming he was out of the office. Before departing, the crowd left behind an altar honoring the murdered boys, symbolizing their collective grief and rage.
The violence underlying the protests erupted dramatically following the arrest of prominent cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of notorious drug lord El Chapo, on July 25, 2024. The unrest turned deadly, precipitating internecine power struggles among groups like "Los Mayos" and "Los Chapitos," with the state closing the year with 994 homicides and 29 femicides.
Meanwhile, showing support for Governor Rocha Moya, federal legislators from the Morena party, including Ricardo Monreal Ávila, rallied behind their governor during discussions of legislative agendas. Monreal emphasized solidarity not just with Rocha, but with the citizens of Sinaloa, asserting, "We're confident Sinaloa will regain its tranquility and continue its development."
This contrasting stance came at a time when the public clamor for accountability and change demands urgent attention. Residents of Sinaloa fear for their safety and the wellbeing of their children, raising renewed questions about the state's ability to manage rising violence. Demonstrators expressed disillusionment with the state, as chants of "¡Sáquenlo, sáquelo!" echoed through the marble halls of power.
Recent comments by state Secretary of Security, Óscar Rentería, acknowledged the heightened concern after the deaths of the Sarmiento Ruiz family. He provocatively stated, "Eso genera traer los vidrios polarizados"—a remark interpreted as indicating the dangerous conditions residents must endure. This admission reflects the tangible fear gripping the Sinaloa community as they seek answers and justice.
The protests mark not just anger over individual tragedies, but are part of broader calls for accountability and safety from violence. For many, the deaths of the Sarmiento Ruiz family have become symbols of the systemic failures plaguing Sinaloa. With communities uniting around this shared grief, the demand for change grows stronger each day. The government’s response, or lack thereof, will prove pivotal as citizens rally against the tide of turmoil enveloping their state.