Additional Coverage:
In the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, near the border, a tragic incident occurred in the town of Pantelho where six individuals from the same family, including three children, were slain by armed attackers on Friday. This event adds to the ongoing violence fueled by confrontations between militia groups linked to drug cartels vying for dominance in the area. Pantelho’s mayor, Julio Pérez, referred to the event as a “massacre.”
Following the attack, authorities reported the arrest of three suspects, although the identities of both the victims and those detained remain undisclosed. This incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence across Mexico, with hitmen targeting whole families.
Notably, a similar attack took place in the state of Guanajuato, where four women and two children were killed inside their home by gunmen after the intended male target was found to have escaped. This particular attack has garnered extra attention due to the involvement of National Guard officers, who were seen entering the home shortly before the assailants and are now detained for breaches of military discipline, as announced by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Violence in Chiapas has been rampant, especially in the lead-up to the June 2 presidential elections, with multiple attacks targeting political figures and resulting in several deaths. The region has become a battleground for the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels.
The recent election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico’s first female president has been overshadowed by violence against female politicians, with two women killed since her landmark victory.