Mexico Violence Erupts Across 2 States; 19 Dead, Including Cops and Officials
It was a day of violence in Mexico as 19 people were killed after three separate attacks across the states of Guerrero and Michoacan. Among those killed during these attacks are police officers and a local official.
According to the Associated Press, this wave of violence happened on Monday, with the deadliest of the attacks happening in Guerrero State. A total of 13 people were shot dead in an ambush, killing 12 police officers and a local security official.
Another person was killed in another attack in the Guerrero State capital of Chilpancingo de los Bravo, while in the neighboring state of Michoacan, five people were killed, including another police officer.
As for the man who was shot to death in Chilpancingo de los Bravo, he was identified as Rigoberto Acosta Gonzalez, an academic and community leader. Police are still investigating what happened.
Guerrero State Ambush One of the Deadliest Cases of Violence in Mexico This Year
As for the ambush, it happened in El Papayo, which is in the Guerrero township of Coyuca de Benitez along Mexico's Pacific Coast. The State Prosecutor's Office revealed that gunmen ambushed the convoy, killing Secretary of Public Security of Coyuca de Benítez, Alfredo Alonso Lopez. Also found among the dead was the Director of Public Security, Honorio Salinas.
A report by AA noted that at least five officers were subdued and tied up by the gunmen before executing them. The ambush reportedly occurred while they were monitoring the area.
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Initially, the report stated that 11 police officers were killed, though that number has now gone up to 13 following recent developments.
This recent wave of violence in the state of Guerrero has shocked many officials. "Guerrero has long seen one of Mexico's most complicated armed conflicts, but the current, pre-electoral levels of violence are extraordinary," said International Crisis Group analyst Falko Ernst.
Regarding which group was responsible for the attack, it has not yet been confirmed. However, officials have pointed to La Familia Michoacana from its neighboring state of Michoacan as one of the main causes of violence in Guerrero, though it is still not known if the notorious cartel is involved in the ambush.
Deadly Day of Mexico Violence Also Happened in Michoacan
Over in Michoacan state, five people were killed, and two more were injured as a result of the ongoing violence in the state, which is being fought over by various Mexican drug cartels. This happened after a group of gunmen attacked the brother of the mayor of the town of Tacambaro.
According to Yahoo! News, the mayor's brother was only wounded in that attack, but a restaurant worker and another police officer were among those killed.
A video of the attack is now making its rounds on social media, and it shows gunmen opening fire before escaping on several vehicles. It is not yet revealed which group is responsible for this violent attack, as Michoacan is currently being fought over by Familia Michoacana and the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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