Authorities revealed that ‘Los Chapitos’ kidnapped and killed ten Vizsla Silver miners in Sinaloa, mistaking them for ‘Los Mayos’ members. Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office identified five bodies, as the mining sector demands justice and enhanced security. The incident took place on January 23 in Concordia.
On January 23, an armed group kidnapped ten miners from the Canadian company Vizsla Silver in Concordia, Sinaloa. Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, reported on February 10 during the morning press conference that the perpetrators belong to a faction of ‘Los Chapitos’, who mistook them for members of ‘Los Mayos’, groups vying for control of Sinaloa’s narcotraffic since 2024.
“According to the first arrests made by the Army of four people allegedly responsible for the illegal deprivation of liberty, what they mention is that they were confused (...) with members of an antagonistic group,” Harfuch stated.
Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) confirmed the discovery of ten bodies at the site, identifying five victims, whose remains will be sent to Zacatecas in two cases, and to Chihuahua, Sonora, and Guerrero in the other three. The remaining five bodies are under identification, and investigations continue to clarify the motive and chain of responsibilities.
Michael Konnert, president of Vizsla Silver, stated: “We are devastated by this outcome and the tragic loss of lives.” The company reported no prior extortion, according to Harfuch and President Claudia Sheinbaum, though contact with the country’s mining companies is maintained.
Mexico’s Mining Chamber (Camimex) and the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists, and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) condemned the violence and demanded justice. “We reaffirm the right of their families and the mining community to obtain a resolution that translates into effective justice,” Camimex indicated. AIMMGM called for security conditions for workers, rejecting insecure environments in Sinaloa’s mining industry, impacted by organized crime violence.
