Four soldiers were killed and nine injured on Thursday when their patrol was ambushed with explosives in the Aguililla municipality of Michoacan, Mexico, according to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The soldiers reportedly detonated an “explosive trap,” resulting in the immediate death of one soldier and critical injuries to three others who later succumbed to their wounds.
President Lopez Obrador, facing criticism for his “hugs, not bullets” approach towards crime, stated that this incident exemplified the challenges faced by the Mexican military in combating violence.
This attack follows Mexico’s launch of presidential election campaigns, featuring two female candidates: Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez.
The nation grapples with widespread drug cartel violence, with over 420,000 murders and 110,000 disappearances attributed to criminal groups since 2006.
Despite the ongoing violence, President Lopez Obrador maintains his focus on addressing the root causes of crime through social programs rather than relying solely on military intervention.
