ISLAMABAD: At least 5 suspected criminals and 2 soldiers were dead in a shootout after gunmen ambushed a military unit in SW Mexico, authorities reported on Saturday.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon in El Pescado’s community, in a mountainous area of Guerrero state that is not easy to access and the scene of conflicts between criminal groups.
An army unit “was the target of an attack by approximately 18 armed civilians aboard 2 vehicles,” following which a shootout broke out, according to an army report.
As many as 5 gunmen and 2 soldiers were killed while 2 people suffered gunshot wounds.
Ambush carried out in Guerrero state of Mexico
As per the area’s authorities, the attackers were likely La Familia Michoacana’s members, which was previously Mexico’s one of the most powerful drug cartels but after the capture of its leaders lost much of its influence.
The cartel has been in the process of regrouping and has carried out various violent incidents.
As per authorities, La Familia Michoacana and the Los Tequileros criminal group are contesting control of the area where they are involved in extortion, drug trafficking, and kidnapping.
Guerrero, which is among Mexico’s poorest states, has suffered years of violence connected to turf wars between drug cartels fighting for control of opium and marijuana production as well as trafficking.
Well over 350,000 people have been killed across the country in spiralling bloodshed since the government deployed troops to fight drug cartels in 2006, according to official figures.
