Mexico: 5 Dead in Separate Shooting Incidents During Brutal 24-Hour Stretch in Zacatecas Plagued by Mexican Drug Cartels
Five people were killed, and one was wounded in separate shooting incidents on Sunday in Mexico's state of Zacatecas plagued by Mexican drug cartels.
According to Borderland Beat, the first attack occurred at Prolongacion Sonora in Fresnillo at around 10 a.m., when a man was shot while traveling on a motorcycle.
Witnesses said they heard multiple shots. An hour later, a body wrapped in a blanket was found on a property in the La Joya neighborhood in Fresnillo. The body was discovered behind some sand distribution centers.
At around 1 p.m., there was a chase and shooting of two men traveling in a gray Mazda car who were caught on Ebano Street near Mercado Oriente in Fresnillo.
Both men were hit by gunfire, and their vehicle crashed into a pole that was knocked down. One of the men died, while the other, who was wounded, was taken to a hospital.
At around 4 p.m, a man was killed in a house under construction on Segunda del Mezquite Street in the Barrio Alto neighborhood. Neighbors said they heard gunshots after authorities found the man's body inside the site.
In the same Barrio Alto neighborhood, a young man was killed inside a home on Fray Servando Teresa de Mier Street after armed men entered the house and shot him.
In Calera, another body wrapped in a blanket was discovered lying on the road that leads to the Ramón López Velarde community, also known as Toribio, at around 10 a.m.
A man also lost his life after he was attacked on 5 de Mayo Street in the community of Río Frío at around 3 p.m.
READ NEXT: Mexico: 3 Bodies Found Dumped on Roadside in Zacatecas as Mexican Drug Cartels Battle for Territory
8 Bullet-Riddled Bodies Wrapped in Blankets Found in Mexico's Zacatecas State
Authorities in Mexico found eight corpses wrapped in blankets in Zacatecas state last month.
The bodies were discovered on the road that leads to the Benito Juarez community. Authorities arrived in the area after residents called 911 to report the bodies lying on the road and the suspicious movement of some trucks.
Authorities said the bodies bore signs of torture and were riddled with bullet wounds.
In the previous week before the discovery of the eight bodies, seven bodies were found in a mountain area of Jerez municipality in the same state. The corpses were also found to be riddled with bullets.
Mexican Drug Cartels in Mexico's State of Zacatecas
Zacatecas is reportedly one of the most violent states in Mexico due to disputes between Mexican drug cartels. Aside from the Jalisco cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, and the Los Talibanes also operate in the state.
All five cartels 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 for control of 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.
The state reportedly links the center and west of Mexico to the U.S. border, a key territory for drug-trafficking routes. Mexican drug cartels usually display dead bodies publicly 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), has been identified as the most dangerous criminal group in Zacatecas.
READ MORE: El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel Continues to Thrive Despite the DrugLLord's Absence: Report
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Mexico's Zacatecas Turns Into the Latest Battleground for Cartels - From Al Jazeera English
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