10 Canadian Mine Workers Abducted in Mexico

Mexican army sends 1,600 troops to Sinaloa to search for missing mining firm employees

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:15pm

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Sixteen-hundred Mexican army troops landed in Sinaloa on Thursday as the government intensified its search for 10 Canadian mining firm workers abducted at gunpoint on Jan. 24. Vancouver-based Vizsla Silver Corp. confirmed the abduction at its project site in Concordia, Mexico, but said official information remains limited. Mexican authorities said a Sinaloa cartel cell leader is being investigated in connection with the abduction.

Why it matters

The abduction of the Canadian mine workers highlights the ongoing security challenges and cartel violence in parts of Mexico, especially in the northern state of Sinaloa which is a stronghold of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel. The incident could further strain relations between Mexico and Canada and raise concerns about the safety of foreign workers in the country.

The details

According to authorities, the 10 Canadian mining firm workers were abducted at gunpoint on January 24 from a housing area called La Clementina near the company's project site in Concordia, Mexico. Mexican Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a Sinaloa cartel operator is being investigated in connection with the abduction, and that the workers were taken all at once. Vizsla Silver Corp. has temporarily suspended activities at the project site as a precaution.

  • The abduction occurred on January 24, 2026.
  • On January 27, a search warrant was served at an unknown location as part of the investigation.
  • On January 30, the Mexican government deployed 1,600 army troops to Sinaloa to intensify the search for the missing workers.

The players

Vizsla Silver Corp.

A Vancouver-based mining company whose employees were abducted in Mexico.

Omar Garcia Harfuch

The Mexican Public Safety Secretary who provided updates on the investigation and search efforts.

Los Chapitos

A faction of the Sinaloa cartel that is being investigated in connection with the abduction.

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What they’re saying

“We want to tell the relatives of the victims that the entire Cabinet will not stop searching for them and that we are participating (with state authorities) in the investigation.”

— Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexican Public Safety Secretary

“What we know is there were no previous threats or interference with employees of this company. A cell of Los Chapitos operates in that area. We have identified one of the leaders in that area and we also are looking for him.”

— Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexican Public Safety Secretary

What’s next

The Mexican government has deployed 1,600 army troops to Sinaloa to intensify the search for the missing Canadian mine workers. Authorities are also investigating a Sinaloa cartel cell leader in connection with the abduction.

The takeaway

The abduction of the Canadian mine workers in Mexico highlights the ongoing security challenges and cartel violence that foreign workers can face in parts of the country. It underscores the need for improved safety measures and coordination between Mexican authorities and foreign companies operating in high-risk areas.