By Zoila Palma: Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their homes in Mexico’s Guerrero state following a series of violent cartel attacks that devastated several rural communities, Los Angeles Times report.
Among those displaced is 74-year-old María Cabrera, who escaped with her family into the mountains after explosives and gunfire struck her hometown of Tula.
Cabrera returned days later to find her home destroyed, with burned belongings, collapsed roofs and dead livestock scattered throughout the village.
She said her family fled with only the clothes they were wearing as rival criminal groups intensified violence in the region. Tula, a community of around 200 Indigenous Náhuatl residents, has faced years of cartel-related conflict tied to territorial disputes.
According to the Indigenous and People’s Council of Guerrero-Emiliano Zapata (CIPOG-EZ), at least 800 people, including children and elderly residents, were displaced during attacks carried out last weekend by a criminal group known as Los Ardillos.
The group reportedly used drone-fired explosives, opened fire on community police forces, burned homes and killed livestock. The organization also said three community police officers were killed while resisting the attackers.
Mexico’s government has reported lower figures, stating that 120 people were displaced and confirming no deaths. In response to the violence, authorities deployed 1,200 military and police personnel to the area and established what officials described as a “safe corridor” for humanitarian assistance. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government’s priority was to prevent further harm to civilians and preserve lives.
Human rights advocates and researchers warn that forced displacement in Mexico is becoming an increasingly serious but underreported crisis.
The post International News: Cartel violence forces hundreds to flee homes in Mexico’s Guerrero state appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their homes in Mexico’s Guerrero state following a series of violent cartel attacks that devastated several rural communities, Los Angeles Times report. Among those displaced is 74-year-old María Cabrera, who escaped with her family into the mountains after explosives and gunfire struck her hometown
The post International News: Cartel violence forces hundreds to flee homes in Mexico’s Guerrero state appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
