According to local authorities, a confrontation occurred on Saturday in central Mexico between armed members of a criminal organization and residents of a small farming town. The incident resulted in the death of 14 individuals and 7 others were injured.
A video depicting a violent altercation on Friday was shared on social media, depicting villagers armed with sickles and hunting rifles in cowboy hats pursuing suspected gang members while automatic gunfire erupted.
The governor of the state of Mexico, Delfina Gómez, along with other leaders from the area, denounced the violence. They stated that it was a result of ongoing regional conflicts that have been building up for several years. She reassured the community that maintaining peace and order is one of her main concerns.
During a press conference on Saturday, she stated that these incidents do not render us powerless; instead, they strengthen our resolve to enhance the safety of our state. We assure you that we will persist in our efforts to prevent similar events from occurring. She also expressed solidarity by saying, “You have our support.”
The police in the State of Mexico, which borders Mexico City, reported that the conflict took place in the small village of Texcaltitlán, approximately 80 miles (130km) southwest of the capital.
Authorities reported that 10 casualties were affiliated with the criminal organization, while four were inhabitants of the local village. Law enforcement did not disclose the specific gang involved, but acknowledged that the notorious Familia Michoacana drug cartel has held significant control in the region for numerous years.
The footage seemed to reveal that the assailants were dressed in military attire, including helmets. It appears that locals proceeded to burn their corpses and vehicles.
According to reports from the local media, members of the Familia Michoacana gang arrived in the village and demanded that farmers pay a fee for every acre (or hectare) of land they own as part of an extortion scheme.
Bypass the advertisement for the newsletter.
after newsletter promotion
Mexican drug cartels are notorious for demanding money from both legal and illegal businesses. In some cases, they resort to violence or arson against ranches, farms, or shops that refuse to comply.
The group known as Familia Michoacana has gained notoriety for their bold attacks on law enforcement, as well as their involvement in the tragic massacre of 20 civilians in Totolapan, a town located in the neighboring state of Guerrero in 2022. This horrific event resulted in the deaths of the town’s mayor, his father, and 18 other men.
Source: theguardian.com
