Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Retail drug trade fuels inter-gang warfare in León, Guanajuato

Inter-gang warfare over the drug trade is causing an increase in violence in the city of León, Guanajuato, where 28 people were killed in the first two weeks of August.

According to León Public Security Secretary Mario Bravo Arrona, several bodies have been found accompanied by messages from criminal gangs.

“It’s a problem related to drug addiction and the cartels who are trying to take control of the plaza.”

Bravo did not say how many gangs are involved in the conflict.

He added that most of the victims have criminal records, and many had been released from jail because of lax policies.

“. . . many of them are arrested one day and released the next day, and it’s all because of drugs,” he said.

A man arrested last week in the murder of a León police officer had been jailed and freed at least 47 times prior to his most recent arrest.

León councilor Christian Cruz Villegas said the municipal government is taking measures to reduce violence and improve security.

“I can say that we are demanding better patrols, better diligence, and fast results,” he said. “And . . . we’re working on improving coordination with state and federal agencies.”

Cruz noted that León is an attractive territory for criminal groups, but authorities will fight to prevent gangs from taking over the city.

“We understand that they are fighting for territories in León, which they see as a fertile city for their illegal businesses,” he said. “But we’re fighting them, and these unfortunate incidents will make us double down on our efforts.”

Source: Milenio (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
The Tomás Garrido Park is an extension of the La Venta Museum-Park, one of the few open-air museums in Latin America, and features over 30 Olmec heads.

Villahermosa residents protest National Olmec Museum in beloved Tomás Garrido Park

0
Construction of the National Olmec Museum would occupy the grounds of the Tomás Garrido Park in Villahermosa, relocating the park's Olmec monuments and potentially killing the city's "green lung."
SimiPet care

Pawsome news: Dr. Simi launches budget-friendly veterinary care in Mexico

3
SimiPet Care offers basic veterinary services for dogs and cats, including vaccinations, deworming, glucose tests, wound care and travel certificates, for the low cost of 75 pesos (US $3.95).
Store workers standing for their entire shift

With new Chair Law, Mexico says workers have right to sit down on the job

3
Employers in the service and retail industries are most directly impacted by the Chair Law, whose objective is to prevent employees from having to remain standing for the entirety of their shifts.