At least 24 people, including at least 12 police officers, were killed in a series of attacks in Mexico.
Authorities reported that a dozen police officers were among the 24 individuals who lost their lives in three distinct armed assaults in Mexico on Monday, making it the most recent instance of brutality.
to target areas affected by illegal drug trade.
According to prosecutor Alejandro Hernandez, the most fatal event occurred when unknown assailants attacked a security patrol in the municipality of Coyuca de Benitez in Guerrero state.
According to a statement from the state prosecutor’s office, 13 individuals lost their lives and two were injured in the attack. Hernandez had previously verified that 11 of the victims were members of the local police force.
According to authorities, a high-ranking state security officer was in the convoy when it came under attack. However, there is no confirmation of media reports claiming that he and his police bodyguards were killed.
The security forces were spotted conducting patrols in the area where multiple motionless bodies were scattered on the ground. A police helicopter was also seen flying above.
Authorities reported that a separate incident took place in the nearby state of Michoacan resulting in four civilian fatalities, one police officer fatality, and two injuries.
According to the state prosecutor’s office, a band of armed individuals assaulted the sibling of the mayor in Tacambaro.
According to the report, one of the victims was a restaurant employee and another was a police officer. The mayor’s brother also sustained injuries.
In a recording shared on social networking platforms, individuals with firearms were observed shooting and then quickly escaping in multiple cars.
On Monday, there was a third incident in which alleged drug dealers engaged in a gunfight in Puebla, Mexico. As a result, six people were killed and two were injured, according to the local government.
The occurrence occurred in the countryside town of San Miguel Canoa, approximately 75 miles away from Mexico City.
Since 2006, the Mexican government has used the military in its fight against drugs, resulting in more than 420,000 deaths due to cartel violence.
Since that time, the homicide rate in the nation has increased threefold to 25 per 100,000 people.
Since 1962, Mexico has documented over 110,000 cases of people who have gone missing, with many attributing these disappearances to criminal groups.
The regions of Guerrero and Michoacan are known for their high levels of violence, caused by conflicts between competing drug cartels and law enforcement.
Despite being known for the popular beach destination of Acapulco, Guerrero remains one of the most impoverished states in Mexico.
Prior to elections, there is often a rise in violence, particularly aimed at lower-ranking government officials, throughout the country. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place next year.
However, according to experts, the most recent surge of violence was especially alarming.
Falko Ernst, an analyst at International Crisis Group, stated on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that Guerrero has been plagued by one of Mexico’s most complex armed conflicts for a long time. However, the current levels of violence leading up to elections are unprecedented.
Since assuming the presidency in 2018, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has advocated for a “hugs not bullets” approach to addressing violent crime. This involves targeting poverty and inequality through social programs rather than using military force.
Source: cbsnews.com