Vizsla Silver Corp. employees had to work amidst gunfire, cartel blockades, and surveillance drones, as revealed by the brother of a geologist working for the Canadian mining firm in Mexico. The geologist was one of five individuals who were discovered deceased after being abducted by a suspected faction of the Sinaloa cartel.
According to lawyer Jaime Castañeda, his brother José Manuel Castañeda Hernández recounted frequent gun battles near the company’s exploration sites in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Sinaloa. Castañeda mentioned that his brother and colleagues often heard gunfire at night while staying in a protected residential compound in Concordia, approximately 50 kilometers from Mazatlán.
José Manuel Castañeda Hernández, aged 43, was part of a group of 10 individuals, including geologists, engineers, and security personnel, who were kidnapped in Concordia on January 23. The Mexican Attorney General’s Office has confirmed the identities of five of the kidnapped individuals, all of whom were employed by Vizsla Silver.
The escalating violence in Sinaloa, fueled by an internal conflict within the Sinaloa cartel, has resulted in numerous casualties and disappearances across the state. The rivalry between two factions, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, has contributed to the unrest. Mexican authorities suspect Los Chapitos of orchestrating the abduction of the mining company workers.
Vizsla Silver emphasized its cautious approach to operations, highlighting substantial investments in security measures and collaboration with experienced advisors. The company expressed its commitment to supporting the affected families and cooperating with authorities to ensure safety remains a priority.
The company’s Panuco silver and gold exploration project, spanning 35,000 hectares near Concordia, is currently under development. Despite the temporary suspension of on-site activities, remote engineering work continues as part of the project.
Mexican authorities are probing various theories surrounding the abduction, including the possibility of mistaken identity by Los Chapitos. Security experts have suggested potential connections between Vizsla Silver and the rival faction La Mayiza, further complicating the situation.
Amidst the uncertainties, family members of the victims, like Socorro Osorio Sánchez, are left grappling with profound loss and seeking answers. Osorio Sánchez’s unwavering determination to find her son reflects the anguish and frustration felt by those impacted by the tragic events in Concordia.