Mexico

People here are mad. People here are scared. But what's striking to an outsider (especially one whose prior point of reference for quality of life in the city was the "Policiaca" section of the local newspapers) is that the humor, charm and pride of daily life in Culiacán persists. Every person we meet is friendlier than the last, and it is easy to imagine this being a joyful place to live, were it not for the violence.

Many residents of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, the birthplace of Mexican drug cartel system, have embraced the state's reputation of violence. But now surging drug-related terror is changing their minds.

Images by Clayton Worfolk and Jordan deBree

It doesn't take long to see the signs of fear that has settled in

By Mariano Castillo, special to the Pulitzer Center

Mariano Castillo's contribution is the result of a partnership between the Pulitzer Center and the Columbia University course "Wired World," taught by Anya Schiffrin, Tom Glaisyer, and Jed Miller. Mariano is the former Border Bureau Chief for the San Antonio Express-News, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in International Affairs at the School of International and Public Affairsat Columbia University.