Campaigning starts in Malaysia's May 9 election race

Campaigning formally started Saturday for Malaysia's May 9 general elections that will determine if scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition can extend nearly 61 years of unbroken rule against an unprecedented challenge led by nonagenarian former strongman Mahathir Mohamad.

Scores of election candidates submitted nomination papers at their home constituencies, paving the way for the start of an 11-day campaigning period.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second from left, and his wife Rosmah Mansor wave to supporters while walking toward the election nomination center in Pekan, Pahang state, Malaysia, Saturday, April 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Najib, escorted by hundreds of supporters waving party flags, filed his nomination in Pekan in central Pahang state. Mahathir, who was one of Asia's longest serving rulers for 22 years until his retirement in 2003, registered to run in the northern resort island of Langkawi.

About 15 million Malaysians will cast ballots to fill 222 seats in federal Parliament and choose representatives for 12 state legislatures.

"It is another test of Najib's survival. He has so far emerged unscathed in all the challenges presented to him in the last few years and this is the biggest one of all," said Rashaad Ali, research analyst with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad, right, shakes hands with other candidates at the nomination center in Langkawi, Malaysia, Saturday, April 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Mahathir made a high-profile return to politics two years ago amid anger over a massive corruption scandal involving the 1MDB state fund, which is under investigation in the U.S. and other countries for allegations of cross-border embezzlement and money laundering. Najib set up and previously led the 1MDB fund when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but it accumulated billions in debt.

The U.S. Justice Department says at least $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib and it is working to seize $1.7 billion allegedly taken from the fund to buy assets in the U.S.

A motorcycle passes by an election poster of former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad in downtown Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Najib, who denies any wrongdoing, has taken an authoritarian bent since the scandal emerged by sacking critics in his government and muzzling the media. His National Front coalition currently holds 132 parliamentary seats after support eroded in the last two elections. It lost its supermajority in Parliament in 2008 and in 2013, it lost the popular vote for the first time to the opposition.

Mahathir now leads the four-party Hope Alliance, which currently holds about a third of parliamentary seats and controls two of Malaysia's 13 states.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad meets with local community in Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Analysts expect Najib, 64, to win a third term due to increased gerrymandering following recent electoral boundary changes, a buoyant economy and strong support from rural Malays, the bedrock of support for his coalition in a multi-racial nation that also includes ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

The opposition has not managed to gain much ground in eastern Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island, which account for a quarter of parliamentary seats.

Analysts say Najib has to win decisively to ward off challenges to his leadership ahead of year-end elections in his ruling Malay party.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad speaks as he meets with local community in Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Najib has extended cash handouts to civil servants and Malays, his key voting blocs, as he urged Malaysians to stick to the National Front "for a greater Malaysia." The economy grew 5.9 percent last year, its strongest in three years, but many Malaysians are upset with a rising cost of living partly due to an unpopular 6 percent goods and services tax introduced in 2015 to bolster government revenue.

Mahathir's opposition pact has promised to axe the goods and services tax and reopen investigations into the 1MDB scandal if it wins. It also pledged to clip the powers of the prime minister, revive a fuel subsidy and abolish tolls.

A small hut is decorated with flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional in Pekan, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

A motorcyclist rides past the flag of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional in Pekan, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional, are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Ong)

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional, are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Ong)

CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed the United States in part on Thursday for the surge in cartel violence terrorizing the northern state of Sinaloa which has left at least 30 people dead in the past week.

Two warring factions of the Sinaloa cartel have clashed in the state capital of Culiacan in what appears to be a fight for power since two of its leaders were arrested in the United States in late July. Teams of gunmen have shot at each other and the security forces.

Meanwhile, dead bodies continued to pop up around the city. On one busy street corner, cars drove by pools of the blood leading to a body in a car mechanic shop, while heavily armed police in black masks loaded up another body stretched out on a side street of the Sinaloan city.

Asked at his morning briefing if the U.S. government was “jointly responsible” for this violence in Sinaloa, the president said, “Yes, of course ... for having carried out this operation.”

The recent surge in cartel warfare had been expected after Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, landed near El Paso, Texas on July 25 in a small plane with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.

Zambada was the cartel’s elder figure and reclusive leader. After his arrest, he said in a letter circulated by his lawyer that he had been abducted by the younger Guzmán and taken to the U.S. against his will.

On Thursday afternoon, another military operation covered the north of Culiacan with military and circling helicopters.

Traffic was heavy in Culiacan and most schools were open, even though parents were still not sending their children to classes. Businesses continue to close early and few people venture out after dark. While the city has slowly reopened and soldiers patrol the streets, many families continue to hide away, with parents and teachers fearing they'll be caught in the crossfire.

“Where is the security for our children, for ourselves too, for all citizens? It’s so dangerous here, you don’t want to go outside,” one Culiacan mother told the Associated Press.

The mother, who didn't want to share her name out of fear of the cartels, said that while some schools have recently reopened, she hasn't allowed her daughter to go for two weeks. She said she was scared to do so after armed men stopped a taxi they were traveling in on their way home, terrifying her child.

During his morning news briefing, López Obrador had claimed American authorities “carried out that operation” to capture Zambada and that “it was totally illegal, and agents from the Department of Justice were waiting for Mr. Mayo.”

“If we are now facing instability and clashes in Sinaloa, it is because they (the American government) made that decision,” he said.

He added that there “cannot be a cooperative relationship if they take unilateral decisions” like this. Mexican prosecutors have said they were considering bringing treason charges against those involved in the plan to nab Zambada.

He was echoed by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, who said later in the day that “we can never accept that there is no communication or collaboration.”

It's the latest escalation of tensions in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Last month, the Mexican president said he was putting relations with the U.S. and Canadian embassies “on pause” after ambassadors criticized his controversial plan to overhaul Mexico's judiciary by requiring all judges to stand for election.

Still, the Zambada capture has fueled criticisms of López Obrador, who has throughout his administration refused to confront cartels in a strategy he refers to as “hugs not bullets.” On previous occasions, he falsely stated that cartels respect Mexican citizens and largely fight amongst themselves.

While the president, who is set to leave office at the end of the month, has promised his plan would reduce cartel violence, such clashes continue to plague Mexico. Cartels employ an increasing array of tactics, including roadside bombs or IEDs, trenches, home-made armored vehicles and bomb-dropping drones.

Last week, López Obrador publicly asked Sinaloa's warring factions to act “responsibly” and noted that he believed the cartels would listen to him.

But the bloodshed has only continued.

National Guard and Army forces patrol during an operation in a neighborhood of Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A police officer photographs a crime scene of bodies lying on the ground in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo)

Police watch forensics remove bodies from a street in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

Bodies lie on the ground in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

Soldiers and police arrive at the area where bodies lie on the ground in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

Police work in the area where bodies lie on the ground in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

National Guard forces and Army soldiers patrol during an operation in a neighborhood of Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A person operates a leaf blower on the courtyard of the temporarily closed Lazaro Cardenas elementary school, in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A resident pedals his bicycle past the temporarily closed Lazaro Cardenas elementary school, in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Sinaloa state Gov. Ruben Rocha, center, participates in an annual earthquake drill in Culiacan, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Schools and businesses in Culiacan, Mexico, are closed and security has been increased as violent clashes play out between factions of the Sinaloa cartel. (AP Graphic)

Forensic investigators remove a body from the street in La Costerita, Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Forensic investigators remove a body from the street in La Costerita, Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Crime scene investigators work at the site where a body was found lying on a street in La Costerita neighborhood of Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Forensic investigators work at the site of a body lying in the street in La Costerita, Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Soldiers cordon off a neighborhood during an operation in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

The dead body of man, his arm marked with a tattoo of the Virgin of Guadalupe, lies covered on a street in La Costerita neighborhood of Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)