An armed assault on a party in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, early on Friday, December 29, 2023, left eight people dead and at least 23 injured.
The assault was carried out by three gunmen who arrived at the party in a pickup truck and began firing indiscriminately at the attendees. A fourth gunman, reportedly a teenager already at the party, joined the attack and identified the target.
The primary target of the attack was Leobardo Vega Arellano, known as “El Wacho,” a reputed gang leader and drug dealer. He had five outstanding arrest warrants for charges including homicide and femicide. Despite trying to escape, he was killed in the attack.
Among the victims were two individuals under the age of 18. Five children were injured, with four of them in critical condition in local hospitals. Thirteen others received treatment and were released. Two additional fatalities were reported at the hospital following initial media coverage.
The attackers managed to escape, leaving a scene of chaos and raising further concerns about the ongoing drug conflict in the region.
Alfonso Durazo, the governor of Sonora, announced on Twitter on December 30 that four people connected to the violent incident had been arrested. They were found in possession of the vehicle used in the crime, assault rifles, and drugs at the time of arrest.
Ciudad Obregon, situated in the northwest of Mexico, is a contested region for control over drug trafficking routes to the United States. This incident underscores the region’s instability, marked by conflicts between rival criminal gangs such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Chapos Cartel.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the shooting was a targeted hit by a rival group against “El Wacho,” indicative of the fierce territorial disputes in the drug trade.
Sonora state, noted in U.S. travel advisories, is a hub of criminal activity and abduction, playing a significant role in international drug and human trafficking networks. The violence in this region presents substantial risks to locals, travelers, and U.S. government employees, who are subject to stringent travel restrictions due to safety considerations.
