Gun battle between cartel fighters and Mexican security officials creates chaos in Culiacan

A police officer walks past a burned vehicle after the street battle.   (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Bodies lie on the street after heavily armed gunmen waged an all-out battle against Mexican security forces in Culiacan.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A Mexican National Guard vehicle with bullet holes.   (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A bullet-ridden pickup truck and crashed vehicle.   (Rashide Frias / AFP/Getty Images)

A forensic worker collects bullet casings after the battle in Culiacan, Mexico.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers patrol the surroundings of the government palace in Culiacan, Mexico.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers patrol outside the government palace in Culiacan, Mexico.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A police officer stands next to burned vehicles after the battle.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A truck burns on a street of Culiacan.  (AFP/Getty Images)

Men look at burned vehicles after the battle.  (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

A soldier patrols near the government palace in Culiacan, capital of Sinaloa.   (Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

In an image from televised video, trucks burn on a street of Culiacan.  (AFP/Getty Images)

In an image from video, cartel-allied gunmen take up a position.   (AFP/Getty Images)