Bloody Zacatecas: 16 die

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

A total of 16 individuals were murdered in ongoing drug and gang related violence in Zacatecas state since last week, according to Mexican news accounts.

According to a news item posted on El Sol de Zacatecas news daily, on Monday, one unidentified armed suspect was killed and three others were detained in an exchange of gunfire with a Policia Federal road patrol Monday.

Federal agents also seized quantities of weapons including one AK-47 rifle, one .22 caliber submachine gun, an M1 rifle, 11 weapons magazines,  188 rounds of ammunition and 18 stars used to puncture car tires.  Vehicles seized included one Oldsmobile sedan and one Ford Lobo (F-150) pickup truck.

EL Sol de Zacatecas reported that a total of eight individuals were found executed in three municipalities in Zacatecas.

According to an article, two unidentified young men were shot by armed suspects who were travelling in Valparaiso municipality Monday. Three died at the scene. The report also hints that the two victims were caught in the crossfire of rival criminal gangs in the area.

At 1000 hrs an unidentified man was found shot dead in his residence in Guadalupe municipality Monday. Two hours later another unidentified man was found shot to death in Juan Aldama municipality.  The victim was apparently fleeing the assault when he was shot.

A total of four unidentified females were found executed Saturday on the road between Jerez and Fresnillo municipalities by police.  The victims were between 15 and 20 years old had all been handcuffed.  A message left at the scene as a warning to other who help criminal groups.  The report did not detail which cartel or criminal group.

Seven other individuals were found murdered in Zacatecas state:

• Three unidentified young men were found shot to death in Zacatecas municipality Saturday.  The victims were found near the saloon La Quinta Itzel near the village of La Escondida.  The victims were in their 20s and all had been shot in the head.  A message had been left at the scene, but its contents were not disclosed.
• Two unidentified young men were found a few hours later also in Zacatecas municipality, near the facilities of Tecnologico Superior de Zacatecas.  Both victims were shot in the head.
• Two men were shot to death in Fresnillo municipality Sunday.  The victims were shot by armed suspects who were travelling aboard an SUV.  The victims were identified as Marvin Enrique Amaya Cabrera, 34, who died at the scene and Gilberto Rios, 25 who died while receiving medical attention.  The report said the shooters used AK-47s to kill the victims.

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com