Shootout in Zacatecas Signals Possible Increase in Violence

On Monday, December 15 shootouts took place between opposing criminal groups aboard various vehicles in Fresnillo, Zacatecas.  It began around 9:00 PM in the colonia Industrial, next to the Unidad Deportiva and spread over several blocks before continuing on Varela Rico boulevard, which doubles as highway 23.  Around twenty minutes later, the shootouts ended near the crossroads of highway 23 to Jerez and highway 44 to Valparaíso, though La Jornada reports it to have lasted two hours.

Army and Marine forces, as well as state, municipal, and ministerial officers, responded to the scene in search of the involved parties, however all the participants of the shootout apparently managed to escape save for one individual who was killed.  A few yards away from the body was a black armored pickup truck which was damaged in the front (I assume crashed but the report does not specify) and shot numerous times.

 Zacatecas was once a stronghold of Los Zetas, but its war with the Gulf Cartel (CDG) has left its power in the state greatly diminished and the number of shootouts occurring has been greatly reduced.  It is worth that three weeks ago, the Attorney General of Zacatecas, Arturo Nahle García, warned that Los Zetas were regrouping and that reinforcements were being sent from other states to mount a campaign to reclaim lost territory.

Furthermore, at least one Spanish language blog over the weekend reported that the Gulf Cartel had left a message on a banner which was wrapped around the body of a young man on Friday.  Within the message, it said that they would not allow Los Zetas to disrupt the holiday season and wanted Mexicans living in the United States to be able to visit their families without fear.  However, this information has not been reported in any professional media sources.