The Mexican state of Chihuahua has reported 35 murders in the space of 24 hours with over half directly linked to cartel warfare despite the COVID-19 lockdown.
Chihuahua, which borders with the US states New Mexico and Texas, reported the 35 violent deaths between the dates of Sunday 5th and Monday 6th April.
According to local media, 19 people suspected of being part of the ‘Gente Nueva’ (‘New People’) criminal organisation, which is linked with the Sinaloa Cartel, were ambushed and killed by a group of heavily-armed men.
The ambush was reportedly carried out by the Juarez Cartel enforcer group ‘La Linea’ (‘The Line’) in the municipality of Madera on Friday 3rd April, but was reported on 5th April by state police.
The image shows the suspected head of ‘La Linea’ Roberto Gonzalez Montes, alias ‘El 32’, who local media believes ordered the attack. The area is a disputed territory between the two cartels.
A federal police spokesperson told local media: “18 men were found without life and two were injured. One died later and raised the number to 19.”
The lone survivor told the local authorities that he worked for the Sinaloa Cartel and was “ambushed by 40 armed men”.
Meanwhile, three women, a 27-year-old man and his six-year-old daughter were also reportedly murdered in the state capital Chihuahua City during the 24-hour period.
An additional 11 people were reportedly shot dead in the municipalities of Parral, Cuauhtemoc and Urique, all located in the state of Chihuahua.
Chihuahua is considered one of the most dangerous states in Mexico and the Juarez, Tijuana, Golfo, Jalisco New Generation, Zetas and Sinaloa cartels all have a presence there, according to local media.
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Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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