Mexico: 7 Killed, Including a Child, After Gunmen Open Fire at Guanajuato Resort

Gunmen stormed a resort in Guanajuato, Mexico and killed seven people, including a seven-year-old child.

Metro reported that three women, three men, and one child were killed by the gunmen who attacked the La Palma resort in the small town of Cortazar in the state of Guanajuato on Saturday afternoon.

Another person was seriously injured in the attack, but the person's current condition is still unclear. One video posted on social media showed several people in swimsuits running, crying, and screaming.

Another CCTV footage showed the aftermath of the attack in the resort, with towels, children's flip-flops, bags, and chairs scattered across the area.

Authorities have yet to release the possible motive for the attack. Officials said the gunmen destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing the scene after the attack, which resulted in the increased police presence in the area. Mexican police and soldiers, aided by a helicopter, reportedly continued to search for the armed men.

Violence in Mexico's State of Guanajuato

Last month, a group of gunmen stormed a bar in Guanajuato, and 10 people were shot to death, while another five were wounded.

Officials said the attack took place at the El Estadio bar. CBS News reported that the armed men entered and opened fire at customers and employees of the bar.

The bar was located along a highway connecting Celaya and Queretaro. The United States has already issued travel warnings in some parts of Mexico amid reports of growing violence.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded to it, saying that U.S. travel warnings with reports of violence were an attempt to taint his administration.

Lopez Obrador noted that Mexico is "safer than the United States," adding that there is no problem in traveling safely in the country.

Mexican Drug Cartels in Guanajuato

The state of Guanajuato in Mexico has been considered one of the country's most violent states for years. Guanajuato was known as an agricultural and industrial hub before the brand of increasing violence due to disputes between Mexican drug cartels.

Drug cartels like the home-grown Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and the Jalisco cartel are reportedly fighting for control of trafficking routes for drugs and stolen fuel.

The bloodbath in Guanajuato reportedly started in 2018 when the Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) moved into the state. Reports said the CJNG has already killed hundreds of Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel members.

The Jalisco cartel is infamous for its public displays of violence and military power. According to the U.S. State Department, the Jalisco cartel is one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations currently operating in Mexico, with "the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity."

Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera is currently leading the Jalisco cartel. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest as he continues to evade capture. The Jalisco cartel leader remains to be the most elusive criminal and is reportedly hiding in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Yépez Ortiz, the leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, has already been captured by Mexican authorities in 2020. However, the cartel members and new leaders continued to engage in turf wars to win or maintain their territory even though their boss was arrested.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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