Miles left to ask for peace in Culiacán, Mexico

Thousands of Mexicans joined in a march for peace in the city of Culiacán, in the state of Sinaloa, after one year of one of the most bloody stages of violence that the city has lived by the confrontations of organized crime.

The morning of August 7, whole families, young, elderly, representatives of civil society and the Catholic Church walked just over two kilometers from the parish of La Lomita to the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Among slogans of justice and banners with absent faces, names of disappeared and phrases of hope, the crowd became a human river that, according to local media calculations, brought together between 30 thousand and 50 thousand attendees.

A year ago, on September 9, 2024, a new stage of violence broke out in Sinaloa, marked by the war between “Los Chapitos” and “La Mayiza”, rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. Since then, the city became the scene of murders, disappearances, robberies and closed shops. It is estimated that between 12 thousand and 14 thousand jobs have been lost in Culiacán and 1,800 people have been killed.

“Evil does not have the last word”

Upon arriving at the Cathedral, an improvised temple gave voice to the Bishop of Culiacán, Mons. Jesús José Herrera Quiñónez. Firmly remembered the crowd that “evil does not have the last word, because God’s love is stronger than violence.”

The prelate celebrated the strength of the call, describing it as the “testimony that we do not resign ourselves to live under the shadow of fear”, and called to recognize that “peace is not a distant dream, but an urgent task that God also puts in our hands.”

Mons. Herrera Quiñónez asked the faithful to reject any temptation to respond with hate, remembering that “true peace is not built with weapons or revenge, but with justice, with forgiveness, and reconciliation and with solidarity love.”

“Our city needs more than ever of men and women who become artisans of peace, capable of sowing hope in the midst of violence, to accompany those who suffer, to educate our young people in truth and good, and to strengthen family and community life,” said the prelate.

Finally, he raised a direct message to the authorities, to whom he requested firm commitment “to serve the common good with honesty, justice, truth and transparency”, and not, “give in to corruption or indifference, but work with courage to ensure security, opportunities and a worthy future for all citizens.”