Four Mexican soldiers were killed this week in two separate incidents in rural Michoacan state when cartel gunmen used improvised explosive devices and land mines. The explosives are part of a strategy used by rival cartels in a fierce turf war over control of drug production and trafficking routes.
The first explosion occurred earlier this week in the town of Cotija in Michoacán state, where a Mexican military convoy was on a routine patrol. The soldiers came to an area where cartel gunmen had laid a minefield. According to information released by the Mexican military, seven soldiers were injured when their vehicle planted a mine. Two of the soldiers, Antonio Israel “R” and Martin “G”, died from their injuries.
Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Torrevira Trejo told a press conference that military intelligence had identified the attack as being carried out by Carteles Unidos. As reported by Breitbart Texas, Carteles Unidos is a group of smaller organizations and other cartels such as Los Bahiagras and La Familia Michoacana that have joined forces to fight the expansion of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. It is an alliance with the remnants.
According to Torrevira Trejo, Carteles Unidos is believed to be behind the use of minefields to prevent the infiltration of armored vehicle convoys from the CJNG.
Mexican authorities have sealed off the cartel's minefield. (Credit: Breitbart Texas/Cartel Chronicles)
Just days after the first fatal accident, two other soldiers were killed in a similar incident when they drove through another minefield near the town of Buena Vista.
Mexican authorities are working to clear cartel minefields. (Credit: Breitbart Texas/Cartel Chronicles)
Following the two attacks, Mexico's military and state police launched a series of operations to identify and defuse cartel minefields.
According to El Sol de Zamora, Michoaca state secretary Carlos Torres Pina said the state is considering purchasing mine-resistant personnel carriers and equipment to deactivate explosives. .
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist at Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart, Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and Breitbart's senior management team. you can follow him Twitter And even more facebook. He can be reached at the following address: iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and Breitbart's senior management team. please follow him Twitter and facebook. He can be reached at the following address: bdarby@breitbart.com.
