5 Dead After Rival Armed Groups Engaged in Shootout in Mexico's Chihuahua State Plagued by Mexican Drug Cartels
At least five people have died after two rival armed groups engaged in a shootout in Mexico's Chihuahua state plagued by Mexican drug cartels.
According to El Sol de Mexico, the armed confrontation happened in the municipalities of Valle de Allende and Coronado in Chihuahua on Sunday morning. Residents called 911 after hearing the gunshots.
When authorities arrived on a highway between the said municipalities, they saw four bodies with gunshot wounds. Local reports said the two bodies had been decapitated, with one of the heads placed on a white SUV's roof and the other on the hood.
Police also found shell casings, three grenades, and various firearm magazines at the scene. A few meters away, in the direction of Valle de Allende, authorities also discovered a van and a ranger-type vehicle that the gunmen left as they fled the scene.
The three vehicles reportedly had bullet holes. During the early hours, a man's body was abandoned in a funeral home in the municipality of Jimenez.
Police believed this was also related to the armed confrontation between two rival groups. The identities of the victims are currently unknown.
Authorities reportedly attributed this violence to warring Mexican drug cartels in the state.
4 Dead in Armed Attack at Restaurant in Mexico's Chihuahua State
Last week, four people died in an attack by armed men at a family restaurant in Mexico's Chihuahua state.
The shooting incident reportedly occurred at Denny's restaurant on Technological Avenue at Ciudad Suarez. Reports said an unknown armed group broke into the restaurant and sprayed bullets at people.
Among the casualties were two women and two men who died on the way to a hospital. A waiter was also wounded by a bullet that hit his back.
While details of those responsible are still unknown, everything seems to indicate that it was a settling of scores between rival Mexican drug cartels that operate in the state.
Authorities are still working to determine the motive and circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Mexican Drug Cartels in Chihuahua State in Mexico
The Chihuahua state in Mexico has reportedly been in a territorial dispute between the Sinaloa Cartel and La Linea Cartel for the last five years.
La Linea is a former group of the Juarez Cartel and is fighting the Sinaloa Cartel for smuggling routes in the U.S. La Linea is believed to be led by Jesus Salas Aguayo, alias "El Chuyin."
On the other hand, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's four sons, known as "Los Chapitos," were left in command of the Sinaloa Cartel after El Chapo was arrested and extradited to the U.S.
However, reports suggested that there was an internal dispute for total control of the powerful criminal organization. The Los Chapitos are reportedly looking to assume supreme control of the Sinaloa Cartel, and their father's former right-hand man, El Mayo, appears to be their internal enemy number one.
The Sinaloa Cartel is considered one of the world's most powerful drug-trafficking syndicates. The Mexican drug cartel has been known for carrying out assassinations, murders, and torture to protect its turf.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Joshua Summers
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