MEXICO: Hermosillo in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, at least 12 suspected criminals were killed in what authorities described as a thwarted attempt to rescue the son of a cartel hitman.
The foiled rescue mission targeted Carlos Humberto, son of Jesus Humberto Limon, a suspected hitman affiliated with a faction of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, led by the sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
The confrontation unfolded after Carlos Humberto was detained for “crimes against health” in Camino del Seri. The armed group, equipped with assault weapons, engaged in a fierce crossfire with government agents on the highway connecting Hermosillo to Bahia de Kino on the Pacific coast. The clash resulted in 12 suspected criminals killed, while another seven managed to escape, with some likely wounded.
Security forces successfully repelled the attack, and two officials were hospitalized but are now in stable condition, according to the Sonora state attorney’s office. The authorities seized a significant cache of weaponry, including AR-15s and AK-47s, along with bulletproof vests, camouflage gear, modern vans, and a substantial quantity of ammunition.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Mexico faces in dealing with organized crime and the power struggles within influential cartels. As the Mexican government prepares for a crucial court hearing on February 22, focusing on an appeal seeking to hold gunmakers accountable in a U.S. court for arms trafficked to criminal organizations across the border, the country remains entangled in complex issues related to crime and security.
