Mexico: conflict events in May 2026
Monthly report from UCDP event data.
In May 2026, UCDP recorded 212 organized-violence events in Mexico, with 241 estimated deaths. That is about the same as the previous month (234). The death toll range is 162 to 293.
93% of the month's events were non-state conflict. Civilian deaths: 16.
Events were concentrated in Sinaloa state (87), Guanajuato state (41), Guerrero state (22).
The most active pairing was Jalisco Cartel New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel - Los Chapitos - Sinaloa Cartel - Los Mayos with 77 events.
Where events happened
Regions, May 2026
| Region | Events | Est. deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Sinaloa state | 87 | 111 |
| Guanajuato state | 41 | 21 |
| Guerrero state | 22 | 29 |
| Baja California state | 22 | 10 |
| Chihuahua state | 13 | 19 |
| Ciudad de México | 7 | 12 |
| Campeche state | 4 | 9 |
| México state | 3 | 3 |
| Hidalgo state | 3 | 3 |
| Oaxaca state | 2 | 4 |
Deadliest events, May 2026
| Date | Where | Parties | Est. deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2026 | Culiacán municipality Sinaloa state | Jalisco Cartel New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel - Los Chapitos vs Sinaloa Cartel - Los Mayos Non-state | 7 |
| 20 May 2026 | Olinalá municipality Guerrero state | Unidentified armed group vs Unidentified armed group Non-state | 6 |
| 14 May 2026 | Concordia municipality Sinaloa state | Jalisco Cartel New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel - Los Chapitos vs Sinaloa Cartel - Los Mayos Non-state, 2 sources | 6 |
| 1 May 2026 | Aguascalientes state | Unidentified armed group vs Unidentified armed group Non-state | 6 |
| 14 May 2026 | León municipality Guanajuato state | Jalisco Cartel New Generation vs Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel Non-state | 5 |
| 3 May 2026 | Ciénega de Flores municipality Nuevo León state | Unidentified armed group vs Unidentified armed group Non-state | 5 |
| 30 May 2026 | Salamanca municipality Guanajuato state | Jalisco Cartel New Generation vs Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel Non-state | 4 |
| 17 May 2026 | Valle de Zaragoza municipality Chihuahua state | Unidentified armed group vs Unidentified armed group Non-state | 4 |
| 9 May 2026 | Campeche state | Unidentified armed group vs Unidentified armed group Non-state | 4 |
| 31 May 2026 | Navolato municipality Sinaloa state | Jalisco Cartel New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel - Los Chapitos vs Sinaloa Cartel - Los Mayos Non-state | 3 |
Parties
| Party | Events |
|---|---|
| Unidentified armed group | 132 |
| Jalisco Cartel New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel - Los Chapitos | 77 |
| Sinaloa Cartel - Los Mayos | 77 |
| Jalisco Cartel New Generation | 58 |
| Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel | 40 |
| Sinaloa Cartel | 27 |
Type of violence
| Category | Events |
|---|---|
| State-based | 1 |
| Non-state | 198 |
| One-sided | 13 |
All months
Monthly reports:Jul 2026Jun 2026May 2026Apr 2026Mar 2026Feb 2026Jan 2026Dec 2025Nov 2025Oct 2025Sep 2025Aug 2025Jul 2025Jun 2025May 2025Apr 2025Mar 2025Feb 2025Jan 2025Dec 2024Nov 2024Oct 2024Sep 2024Aug 2024Jul 2024
Source: UCDP GED and Candidate Events, CC BY 4.0. Counts use the "best" fatality estimate. See methodology.