Burning Businesses, Vehicles and Gunfire Across Guanajuato after Capture of CSRL Leader

 By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Several municipalities in Southern Guanajuato were the backdrop for burning businesses, vehicles, and gunfire, after the rumored capture of "El Muñeco", a leader of the Cartel Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL) last night.

Video: Twitter @All_Source_News

According to AM Noticias, the violence began in the municipalities of Juventino Rosas and Villagrán with gunfire around 10:30 p.m. on January 30, 2023. Soon after, another shootout occurred on the Carretera Juventino Rosas-Celaya highway when Public Security officers engaged with armed criminals. At that location, tire spikes were deployed by the criminals.

Just after midnight, dozens of videos of the violence began appearing online, mostly across the south of the state, with the northernmost attacks in Celaya. They show burning vehicles, businesses, and record the audio of shootouts. Once again, several Oxxo convenience stores were targeted by arsonists.

According to La Silla Rota, "El Muñeco" is the brother in law of José Antonio Yépez  "El Marro", the imprisoned ex leader of the CSRL.

AM Noticias reported that five alleged criminals have been detained. A video circulating online showing five men being arrested by Guanajuato police seems to confirm this. 

Video: Twitter @All_Source_News

A burned-out bus, Celaya. Photos: @InfoRoja_Mx

This afternoon, Periodico Correo reported that Sophia Huett López, the State Secretary of Public Security confirmed to reporters that several of those responsible were captured. López said that they may be charged under terrorism charges, as their actions intended to cause fear among the public. She added that there were no injuries and the state is under control.

Paralyzing a city through narco blockades, gunfire, and burning of buildings is a common strategy employed by criminal groups in response to the capture of high profile members. In addition to slowing government movement by creating roadblocks, these attacks are intended to cause enough terror and chaos to pressure the government into submission. 

The event sparks immediate comparisons to August 2022, when the CJNG burned dozens of vehicles and businesses across at least 11 cities in Jalisco and Guanajuato following the attempted capture of a high ranking officer, as reported by Borderland Beat.

Sources: Reporting from AM Noticias, La Silla Rota Guanajuato, Borderland Beat Archives, Twitter @All_Source_News, Twitter @InfoRoja_Mx, Periodico Correo