The Mexican government finally takes a stand against the infamous drug cartels that have been known for running Mexico and its government in the past.
In a gunfight in western Mexico Friday May 22 against government security forces and the drug cartel, 42 suspected drug cartel henchmen were killed while one is fatally injured.
An official told Reuters it was “one of the bloodiest shootouts in a decade of gang violence wracking the country.”
As far as policemen, two were killed and another injured recently seeking medical care as reported by the National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido.
He also reported the gun battle lasting three hours long at a ranch at the border of Michoacan and Jalisco.
The gang violence hit an all time high Friday being one of the largest death tolls since President Enrique Pena Nieto was elected in December 2012. Nieto had put an end to the gang violence for the most part after 100,000 lives suffered from it in 2007; that is until now.
The 42 who were shot down by police were suspected Jalisco New Generation (JNG) cartel gang members. A gang known for testing the President Nieto’s power.
Rubido reports that security forces were called to the ranch where the gunfight occurred after an inquiry about an “invasion.” Upon police arrival, a group of men started to shoot at them
Once the police were bombarded by the group they called in for more support. Helicopters came to the scene to help. It captures three of the suspected gang members along with their grenade launcher and 39 various guns.
Government official revealed to RushHourDaily that two federal police were killed during the shootings. Federal forces have replaced local police for a week now, since the incident of the assassination of a political candidate running for mayor in a town near Tanhuato. So officials for the national human rights commission (CNDH) reported for duty this day.
Rubido announces that this was the highest number of deaths in a battle between the government and cartel gang members since last June’s incident.
Images via RushHourDaily/Alan Ortega
