Gun battle between cartel fighters and Mexican security officials creates chaos in Culiacan

Mandatory Credit: Photo by STR/EPA-EFE/REX (10449104a) A view of vehicles on fire during a clash between armed gunmen and Federal police and military soldiers, in the streets of the city of Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, 17 October 2019. According to media reports, alleged drug cartel gunmen set up blockades and unleashed volleys of gunfire in the Mexican city of Culiacan amid rumors of the capture of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of imprisoned drug trafficker Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman Loera. The blockades set up by the gunmen, presumably from the Sinaloa drug cartel, extended to the exits of the city. Attempted capture of Ovidio Guzman Lopez sparks gunbattle in Culiacan, Mexico - 17 Oct 2019 ** Usable by LA, CT and MoD ONLY **

Vehicles were set ablaze to block roads during the violent confrontation. (EPA/Shutterstock)

Oct. 18, 2019 1:01 PM PT

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Heavily armed men fought intense battles against Mexican security forces in the Sinaloa state capital, and cartel leader Ovidio Guzman Lopez was reportedly captured and then released.

A police officer walks past a burned vehicle after the street battle. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Bodies lie on the street after heavily armed gunmen waged an all-out battle against Mexican security forces in Culiacan. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A Mexican National Guard vehicle with bullet holes. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A bullet-ridden pickup truck and crashed vehicle. (Rashide Frias / AFP/Getty Images)

A forensic worker collects bullet casings after the battle in Culiacan, Mexico. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers patrol the surroundings of the government palace in Culiacan, Mexico. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers patrol outside the government palace in Culiacan, Mexico. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A police officer stands next to burned vehicles after the battle. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A truck burns on a street of Culiacan. (AFP/Getty Images)

Men look at burned vehicles after the battle. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A soldier patrols near the government palace in Culiacan, capital of Sinaloa. (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

In an image from televised video, trucks burn on a street of Culiacan. (AFP/Getty Images)

In an image from video, cartel-allied gunmen take up a position. (AFP/Getty Images)

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Gun battle between cartel fighters and Mexican security officials creates chaos in Culiacan

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