A bloody year-long war for control of the world's most powerful drug cartel has killed 1,700 people in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

Now a new threat looms -- US airstrikes.

Gunfights, decapitations, shuttered schools and bodies dangling from bridges -- the deployment of thousands of Mexican troops has failed to staunch the bleeding in the once-bustling city of Culiacan, where locals live in fear.

"Before, we could celebrate our son's birthday every year, invite his cousins, have them play in a pool or set up a pinata and a cake," said 35-year-old mother Karely Contreras.

"Now we do something very private at home, because we don't know what could happen."

The city was plunged deep into chaos a year ago when a power struggle emerged within the Sinaloa Cartel.

Perhaps the most powerful

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