Authorities confirmed a tragic incident in central Mexico on Friday, where a clash between gunmen associated with a criminal gang and residents of a small farming community led to the death of eleven individuals.
Videos posted on social media captured the intense confrontation, depicting villagers, armed with scythes and hunting rifles, pursuing suspected gang members amidst exchanges of automatic gunfire.
The altercation occurred in the hamlet of Texcaltitlan, situated approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Mexico City, within the State of Mexico.
According to state police, eight fatalities were affiliated with the criminal gang, while three were local villagers. Although authorities did not specifically name the gang involved, reports suggest the notorious Familia Michoacana drug cartel has maintained a stronghold in the region for an extended period.
Local media accounts indicated that Familia Michoacana members had visited the village earlier, reportedly demanding extortion payments from local farmers on a per-acre basis. However, official statements regarding this aspect of the incident have not been released yet.
Drug cartels in Mexico often resort to extortion, targeting various legitimate and illicit enterprises, resorting to violence against those who resist payment, including attacks or arson against properties.
The Familia Michoacana is infamous for audacious assaults on law enforcement personnel and was responsible for the shocking 2022 massacre in Totolapan, Guerrero state. The brutal attack resulted in the deaths of 20 townspeople, including the mayor, his father, and 18 others.
This latest clash underscores the ongoing struggle between criminal elements and local communities in Mexico, where violence and extortion tactics continue to threaten the safety and stability of small villages and their residents.
