Zacatecas: The Advancement Of The Cartel De Sinaloa

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

A video obtained by ImagenNoticias captured the exact moment when Municipal Police from Jerez were kidnapped. This is how they learned about the advancement of the Sinaloa Cartel in Zacatecas, until then undisputed territory of the CJNG.

Video translation is as follows:

Male Reporter: If you want to see what the local police officers are in the state of Zacatecas. Just review the history of attacks they have suffered in recent months. One of them is registered in this unpublished video obtained by Imagen Noticias.

This is the exact moment when 2 unfortunate Jerez Municipal Police officers knew before anyone else of the advancement of the Sinaloa Cartel in Zacatecas. Until then, the undisputed territory of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

It is midnight on September 22. A dozen vehicles carrying 60 men. All with long weapons and some in military-looking uniforms block the way for these Municipal Policemen. Not even the entire police corporation would be able to cope with them.

These uniformed men were returned alive. But they were lucky. So far in 2021, at least 13 police officers have been killed in Zacatecas.

An hour from there lies the city of Fresnillo. The most violent municipality in the country. So far this year alone, 250 investigation files have been opened for the crime of intentional homicide. Clearly more than the sum of the 205 integrated in the neighboring states of Coahuila, Durango, and Aguascalientes.

The violence has reached the gates of the mayor's office. A week ago, members of the Jalisco Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel chased each other around. It all ended with an execution at the gates of the Municipal Palace.

Saúl Monreal: There was also a confrontation between criminals here days ago. And the truth is that the National Guard was right here in front, right here. 

Male Reporter: The advantage of criminal organizations is that they do not suffer from budget constraints or of any other nature other than local police forces.

Humberto Padgett: This is a vehicle that was seized after a confrontation between the Zacatecas state government forces. And elements of the army with hitmen from the Sinaloa Cartel.

This truck looks like a patrol vehicle but it’s not a patrol unit. It is equipped like a patrol vehicle but it was not owned by any public force but instead by organized crime.

We see that it is suitable with overhead lights. Of course, when we inspect the image a little closer we see that this gray duct tape used to seal uncovers the actual truth. 

They even had some equipment in the back of the vehicle for more people to travel. It had this tubular structure that serves so that people can support themselves.

We also have a post there if you see. Vertically there is a tube that comes down from the frame. It’s possibly there to support the end of a firearm. Something similar to this is what we have seen that they use to mount for example a .50 cal. 

Male Reporter: And this is why the local authorities no longer hold their own luck. And in Fresnillo as well as its surroundings, not even being a Monreal, one of the president's spoiled surnames manages to be the difference.

Saúl Monreal: I insisted with the same federal and state corporations, including the same president of the Republic and asked him to help us. I demanded on behalf of the Fresnillo citizens that the National Guard act. Don't leave Fresnillo alone. Help us. Let the National Guard act. Don't leave Fresnillo alone. Help us.

Ciro Gómez Leyva: Help us. In 2 weeks there is a change of government in Zacatecas. And the brother of that man David Monreal will be the new governor of Zacatecas. It will be the first time that a Morena candidate, a Morena politician, has governed Zacatecas. We'll see if things change ...

Ciro Gómez Leyva