Mexico sends 1,000 troops to rescue kidnapped Canadian company workers

 February 3, 2026

Armed men identified as members of the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel abducted ten Mexican nationals from a mining camp near Concordia, Sinaloa, on January 23.

The workers were employed by the Canadian company Vizla Silver. The Mexican government deployed approximately 1,000 soldiers, including military, naval, and federal police forces, supported by aircraft and helicopters, to locate and rescue the kidnapped workers.

According to Breitbart News, Mexico's security official Omar Garcia Harfuch identified a cell led by Oscar "El Casco" Martinez Larios, described as a lieutenant in the organization, as the suspected perpetrators. The motives behind the kidnapping have not been determined, and local media reported increased cartel activity in the region prior to the incident.

Military Might Meets Cartel Power

Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t just a rescue mission; it’s a declaration that Mexico won’t bow to thuggery, even if most cartel kidnappings go unsolved. The sheer scale of this deployment—1,000 troops, air support, and naval backup—shows a direct response to the firepower of the Chapitos cell in the region. It’s high time governments stop coddling criminals with soft policies and hit back hard.

Harfuch himself noted, “No history of threats or extortion attempts” existed against Vizla Silver before this incident. That’s telling—cartels don’t need a reason to strike when they smell weakness or opportunity. This isn’t about grievances; it’s about power, plain and simple.

Then there’s the chilling detail of who’s behind this: Harfuch pointed to a cell led by Oscar “El Casco” Martinez Larios. This isn’t some low-level punk; he’s a major player in the Sinaloa Cartel’s hierarchy. If Mexico wants to send a message, taking down a lieutenant like this could be a start.

Cartel Arsenal Raises Eyebrows

Adding fuel to the fire, reports from Argentina’s Infobae reveal that just last March, Mexican authorities confiscated over 3,000 explosive devices linked to El Casco’s crew. These weren’t just bombs—they were part of a weaponized drone arsenal used in brutal turf wars. What kind of world are we living in where cartels have tech like this?

This isn’t a game of cops and robbers; it’s a full-on war against organized crime that’s been allowed to fester for far too long. While the left might wring their hands over “root causes,” the reality is that cartels thrive when borders are porous, and enforcement is lax. Strong action, not endless debate, is the only way forward.

Look at the bigger picture: cartel activity spiked in the days leading up to this kidnapping. That’s not a coincidence; it’s a failure of proactive security. Mexico’s government deserves credit for responding now, but why wasn’t this region locked down sooner?

International Stakes Demand Results

The international angle here can’t be ignored—Vizla Silver, being a Canadian outfit, has turned global eyes on Mexico. This isn’t just a local crime; it’s a test of whether foreign businesses can operate safely in a country plagued by cartel influence. If Mexico fumbles this, expect investment to dry up faster than a desert stream.

Conservative minds rightly question whether governments are doing enough to protect legitimate enterprises from criminal empires. It’s not about woke ideals of “understanding” these cartels; it’s about crushing their ability to terrorize. Anything less is surrender.

What happens next could set a precedent. If Mexico’s forces dismantle this Chapitos cell, it might deter future attacks on foreign workers. If they fail, expect cartels to grow bolder, knowing they can act with impunity.

Time for Action, Not Excuses

Let’s not mince words: the fact that most cartel kidnappings go unsolved is a stain on any nation’s resolve.

Mexico’s deployment of 1,000 troops is a step in the right direction, but it’s got to be backed by a sustained campaign to root out these criminal networks. Half-measures won’t cut it.

The workers—Mexican citizens working for a Canadian firm—deserve to come home safe, not to be pawns in some endless cycle of violence. This operation must succeed, not just for them, but to show that law and order can still mean something. Anything less would be a victory for anarchy over civilization.

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