Mexico: 3 Bodies Found Dumped on Roadside in Zacatecas as Mexican Drug Cartels Battle for Territory

By Mary Webber First Posted: Sep 08, 2022 07:24 AM EDT

The bodies of three men were found dumped on a roadside in Mexico's state of Zacatecas, which is plagued with violence between several Mexican drug cartels.

The bodies were discovered lying on the ground among the bushes on the side of state highway number 181 in the municipality of Genaro Codina.

According to Borderland Beat, people passing through the site before 6 p.m. Wednesday noticed the bodies. They called authorities, who came to inspect the place together with the Mexican Army. However, no arrests have been made.

The three dead men reportedly bore signs of torture. The identity of the men remains unknown. Their bodies were eventually transferred to the SEMEFO facilities.

Zacatecas in Mexico Amid Mexican Drug Cartels' Turf Wars

Late last month, military troops from nearby Jalisco state joined the National Guard in patrolling areas in Zacatecas that have been affected by roadblocks, shootings, and vehicle fires allegedly carried out by members of Mexican drug cartels in the region.

Mexico News Daily reported that the most affected municipalities were Fresnillo, Zacatecas city, Jerez, and Valparaiso..Some universities and schools in the area called off classes because of an outbreak of violence around the state.

These included the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, the National Polytechnic Institute, and the Academic Mineral Institute. Students in primary, junior high, and high schools in Valparaiso and Fresnillo were also advised to stay home.

Fresnillo was reportedly the municipality most affected by the cartel violence. Infobae reported that the Mexican drug cartels involved in the violence in the state were the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco cartel.

Zacatecas Minister of Public Security Gen. Adolfo Marín Marín earlier said that security had been reinforced throughout the state, and some 90 arrests had been made. He noted that "everything" was already "under control."

Jalisco Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico's Zacatecas State

Aside from the Jalisco cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, and the Los Talibanes also reportedly operate in Zacatecas state.

All five crime organizations are involved in the operations of trafficking fentanyl and other illegal drugs. Security experts said a wave of violence had enveloped the streets of Zacatecas as Mexican drug cartels fought over the territory.

They noted that Zacatecas was not only an important market for drug dealing but also crucial in transporting fentanyl from Mexico's South Pacific ports to the U.S. border.

Zacatecas reportedly links the center and west of Mexico to the American border, a key territory for drug-trafficking routes.

Mexican drug cartels usually make public displays of bodies to taunt their rivals or authorities. It is also sometimes used to scare local residents.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) is currently the Sinaloa Cartel's main rival. The Jalisco cartel is being led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known by his alias "El Mencho."

The Sinaloa Cartel is reportedly not a hierarchical structure as its leaders like Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada all maintained their own separate but cooperating organizations.

The Jalisco cartel came out from the Sinaloa Cartel in 2010 after the death of former Sinaloa Cartel capo Ignacio Coronel, known as "Nacho," who was killed by Mexican security forces.

Nacho's death resulted in the split into two factions - "La Resistencia" and "Torcidos" - of the Sinaloa Cartel. The "Torcidos" became what is now the Jalisco cartel, which has since expanded rapidly in Mexico.

The Jalisco cartel involves itself in many criminal activities, including international drug trafficking.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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