Eighteen people were killed this past week in Zacatecas, Mexico, as the ongoing drug cartel violence escalated. The fatalities were found in two separate incidents in Morelos and Fresnillo, believed to be a retaliation for the death of a Sinaloa cartel leader and the arrest of 26 cartel members.
Zacatecas, home to Morelos and Fresnillo, is situated in the north-central region of Mexico, approximately 340 miles south of Eagle Pass, Texas.
On May 8, 2024, nine bodies were found in Morelos, prompting a homicide investigation by the state prosecutor’s office. This discovery came just a day after nine bodies were discovered in Fresnillo.
The bodies in Fresnillo were discovered on a city avenue, near a market. Each body was wrapped in a blanket and bound with duct tape. The victims had been left with messages meant for a rival criminal group. Surveillance footage showed members of the Sinaloa Cartel depositing some of the bodies.
The uptick in violence was triggered by the death of a Sinaloa cartel leader, known as “El Gordo,” who was notorious for kidnappings and murders in Zacatecas. His death led gang members to block roads, set vehicles ablaze, and leave the bodies of victims as a horrifying display. “The officers responded to the aggression and eliminated the presumptive leader of the cartel in Zacatecas,” stated Oscar Alberto Aparicio, Zacatecas Deputy Public Safety Secretary.
Zacatecas is a key drug trafficking region due to its closeness to the U.S. border. It also has one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico. The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have been embroiled in violent territorial disputes in the area, both of which the DEA has linked to the rising fentanyl problem in the United States.
The U.S. State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Zacatecas, warning against widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. The advisory also highlights the risk of kidnappings in the state.
Previous incidents in Zacatecas include the discovery of six bodies and one survivor by a search team looking for seven kidnapped youths. In Christmas 2022, among four murder victims was a U.S. resident. Earlier that year, five men and one woman were abandoned on a roadside, while the bodies of eight men and two women were found in a pickup truck near a Christmas tree in the state capital.
In the first quarter of 2024, Zacatecas recorded 203 homicides, following 1,336 murders in 2023. Governor David Monreal deployed 1,000 National Guard and army troops to Zacatecas and maintained that traffic was flowing smoothly. He referred to the violence as “a reaction, a consequence of police activity against the cartel leadership.”
The recent murders highlight the ongoing struggle of Mexican authorities to tackle cartel violence. While Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador advocates for a “hugs, not bullets” strategy, Zacatecas remains caught in the deadly crossfire of warring cartels.
López Obrador’s controversial strategy to combat cartel violence in the country is facing scrutiny and mixed opinions on its effectiveness. Despite his overall popularity, the business community and critics question the efficacy of this approach. The strategy emphasizes fostering social programs, addressing root causes of crime, and promoting dialogue instead of relying solely on aggressive military or law enforcement tactics. López Obrador advocates for a more holistic and community-oriented approach to tackle violence, attempting to create change through social welfare initiatives and by engaging with marginalized communities. The approach aims to prioritize preventive measures and socioeconomic development, viewing them as essential components in addressing Mexico’s complex security issues.
