Mexico: Drug Traffickers Clash Leaves 19 Dead in Chiapas

Removal of bodies in La Concordia, Chiapas, Mexico, July 2024. Photo: X/ @FelipeLeonLopez

July 2, 2024 Time: 9:22 a.m.

In recent years, Chiapas has seen an increase in violent incidents linked to drug trafficking gangs.

On Monday, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) confirmed that 19 people died in a clash between drug cartels in the municipality of La Concordia, in the state of Chiapas.

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Initial investigations indicate that the events are part of a struggle for control of border territories between the Sinaloa Cartel and another criminal group identified as “the Chiapas and Guatemala Cartel.”

Over the weekend, several people were found dead on a dirt road connecting the towns of Jaltenango de la Paz and La Reforma. After this discovery, the Mexican government sent 200 agents to reinforce security in this region of Chiapas.

“After receiving an alert on Saturday, authorities went to the scene where they found a Nissan van and a cargo truck crossing the road,” Russia Today reported.

“In the back of the truck, 15 bodies were found with gunshot wounds, two others in the cabin, two on the side and another about 100 meters away,” he added.

“All the bodies found inside the dump truck were wearing dark clothing, tactical vests and each of them had firearm magazines,” the Chiapas state prosecutor's office said.

In this Mexican state, the authorities have also detected the presence of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is fighting for border territory with the Sinaloa group.

In recent years, Chiapas has seen an increase in violent incidents linked to drug trafficking gangs. This trend has become more pronounced in the run-up to the June 2 presidential elections.

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