Six individuals were apprehended in Mexico’s strife-torn southern Chiapas state for carrying unlicensed firearms, authorities announced Sunday, following a wave of violence that displaced over 4,000 individuals.
Reports from Mexican media indicated armed assailants descended upon Tila municipality over the weekend, indiscriminately shooting and setting fire to residences and businesses.
According to the Chiapas prosecutor’s office, over 4,000 individuals were “rescued” from their homes where they had sought refuge during the violent incidents and were relocated to shelters.
Tragically, two casualties were reported, including a minor, and at least 17 structures, both residential and commercial, were engulfed in flames. Additionally, more than 20 vehicles fell victim to arson or vandalism.
Late Sunday, authorities confirmed the detention of six individuals found in possession of unlicensed firearms in the area.
Reforma newspaper detailed that the armed individuals had demanded local youths join criminal factions.
The surge in violence in Chiapas is attributed to clashes between the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels, Mexico’s largest criminal organizations, vying for control over drug trafficking routes and other illicit enterprises, including extortion, according to the InSight Crime think tank.
Since 2006, Mexico has grappled with over 450,000 recorded homicides, primarily attributed to criminal syndicates, following the government’s deployment of the military to combat drug trafficking.
