Six dead after marines clash with alleged cartel members in Sinaloa

At least six people were killed in Mexico's western state of Sinaloa on Monday February 7 after marines were engaged in fighting with suspected cartel members, local media reported.

According to local authorities in Sinaloa, one marine was killed in the clashes as well as five individuals reportedly belonging to a local drug cartel.

The victims have not been linked publicly to any specific cartel but the state is the stamping ground of the Sinaloa Cartel, whose former head "El Chapo" Guzmán is in the United States to face drug trafficking charges.

Since Mexico's drug war of 2006, some 110,000 people have reportedly been killed in the fight against drug trafficking.

U.S. President Donald Trump has touted a border wall to stop drugs smuggling north.

But Mexico argues much of the blame for the drug violence comes from U.S. demand and has criticised the smuggling of weapons from the United States to Mexico.