Gunmen opened fire on a soccer field in central Mexico, killing at least 11 people and injuring 12 others, leaving behind a trail of beer cans, candles, and blood-stained clothing.
The attack occurred during a gathering after an amateur match in the municipality of Salamanca, which has been plagued by intense violence linked to cartel territorial disputes. The region is currently under the influence of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, with tensions escalating into violent clashes.
Governor Libia Dennise GarcΓa stated that "security in the region has been reinforced" with state and federal forces deployed to maintain order. She vowed to bring those responsible for the massacre to justice and restore peace to the community.
However, authorities have yet to disclose any motives behind the attack, leaving many questions unanswered. Security expert David Saucedo believes that the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel was likely behind the indiscriminate attack, seeking to provoke a federal military surge into territory currently held by its rivals, CJNG.
This incident raises serious concerns about Mexico's ability to maintain security in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup, which the country is co-hosting with Canada and the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum has chosen not to comment on the attack, deferring to the local prosecutor's office, which is currently investigating the incident.
The Jalisco Cartel, a fast-growing criminal organization, was declared a terrorist organization by the Trump administration, which also targeted the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel. The violence in Salamanca underscores the ongoing struggle for control of territory and resources in Mexico's war-torn regions.
The attack occurred during a gathering after an amateur match in the municipality of Salamanca, which has been plagued by intense violence linked to cartel territorial disputes. The region is currently under the influence of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, with tensions escalating into violent clashes.
Governor Libia Dennise GarcΓa stated that "security in the region has been reinforced" with state and federal forces deployed to maintain order. She vowed to bring those responsible for the massacre to justice and restore peace to the community.
However, authorities have yet to disclose any motives behind the attack, leaving many questions unanswered. Security expert David Saucedo believes that the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel was likely behind the indiscriminate attack, seeking to provoke a federal military surge into territory currently held by its rivals, CJNG.
This incident raises serious concerns about Mexico's ability to maintain security in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup, which the country is co-hosting with Canada and the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum has chosen not to comment on the attack, deferring to the local prosecutor's office, which is currently investigating the incident.
The Jalisco Cartel, a fast-growing criminal organization, was declared a terrorist organization by the Trump administration, which also targeted the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel. The violence in Salamanca underscores the ongoing struggle for control of territory and resources in Mexico's war-torn regions.