Twelve bodies were found in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, all showing signs of torture and left with messages by cartels, according to local authorities. The killings were linked to disputes between organized crime groups in the area. Guanajuato, known for being a thriving industrial center and home to popular tourist destinations, currently holds the title of Mexico’s most violent state based on official homicide statistics.
The victims, consisting of three women and nine men, were discovered within a span of two hours in five different locations in the city of Salamanca. Their bodies displayed gunshot wounds, signs of torture, and one victim was even dismembered. Messages left at the crime scenes claimed responsibility for the killings, a common tactic used by drug cartels to intimidate rivals or punish those who go against their rules.
The recent discovery of these bodies comes shortly after a separate incident where four individuals were killed by gunmen at a residential center for people battling addictions in the same municipality. The Mayor of Salamanca, Cesar Prieto, expressed concern over the escalating crime rates in the city, stating that 16 people have been murdered so far in the month of October alone. He attributed the violence to ongoing disputes between rival groups in the region.
Guanajuato has been embroiled in a bloody turf war between two powerful cartels, the Santa Rosa de Lima and the Jalisco New Generation. This conflict has resulted in targeted attacks on police officers, politicians, and civilians. Tragic incidents, such as the murder of a mayoral candidate and the killing of six family members, including a baby and toddler, have highlighted the brutal nature of the violence in the state.
The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory cautioning Americans to reconsider visiting Guanajuato due to the high number of murders linked to cartel-related violence in the region. Since the initiation of a military anti-drug operation in December 2006, Mexico has seen over 450,000 murders related to organized crime activities.
New President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to unveil a national security strategy next week in response to the escalating violence in the country. The situation in Guanajuato serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by drug cartels and the impact of their activities on local communities.
