Nineteen Lives Lost in Violent Clash Between Sinaloa, Chiapas, and Guatemala Cartels in Southern Mexico

On June 29, a violent clash between hitmen representing the Sinaloa, Chiapas, and Guatemala cartels erupted in southern Mexico, specifically in the state of Chiapas. This incident resulted in 19 fatalities and is just one of many examples of the ongoing drug violence plaguing the country.

The gruesome discovery was made when several deceased individuals were found along a road connecting Jaltenango de la Paz with La Reforma. A video circulated the day prior showed lifeless bodies in the back of a cargo truck, identified by the perpetrators as members of the Sinaloa Cartel and their rivals linked to Chiapas and Guatemala. The victims were wearing tactical gear and were armed with long weapons, underscoring the violent nature of the clash.

Following this incident, the federal government dispatched 200 agents to bolster security in the region. The State Attorney General’s Office of Chiapas, in collaboration with various law enforcement entities, located a total of 19 bodies in La Concordia. The victims had gunshot wounds and were found inside a dump truck, all dressed in dark clothing and tactical vests with firearm magazines.

This latest episode of drug violence adds to the grim statistics of homicides in Mexico. In May alone, there were 2,657 recorded homicides as reported by the Mexican government’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC). Despite a marginal decrease in overall homicides in recent years, Mexico continues to grapple with violence linked to drug cartels and organized crime. The government’s efforts to curb this bloodshed have been met with challenges, highlighting the complexity and severity of this issue facing our nation today.