Authorities in the Mexican state of Sinaloa have ordered residents not to don masks or costumes for Halloween to avoid being confused with criminals amid a worsening cycle of cartel violence.
Home to the powerful Sinaloa cartel, the north-western state has been wracked by deadly infighting between factions of the group following the arrest of one of its leaders, drug trafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, in the United States in late July.
The intra-cartel warfare has left hundreds of people dead or missing since September, and the federal government has deployed hundreds of soldiers to the region.
“Do not wear a costume or a mask, carry plastic guns, or dress up as anyone,” the state’s security secretary, Gerardo Mérida, instructed residents, also warning people not to be on the streets late at night.
As a public service, the cartel members should simply choose to wear costumes at all times to make this mandate logical.