EL PASO, Texas — The mayor of a town in Mexico is seeking assistance in the aftermath of a tragic incident that left eight men dead at a local beer depot.
Mayor Rafael Vargas Muñoz of Huitzilac, Morelos, took to social media to express the community’s deep sorrow following the violent attack on Saturday night. The mayor called on federal and state authorities for support in combating the escalating violence and urged for a swift resolution to the tragic events.
Security camera footage broadcasted by various Mexican media outlets captured the chilling moment when gunmen in two vehicles opened fire on customers at the beer depot. The harrowing scene showed victims attempting to flee but succumbing to the hail of gunfire. The Morelos Attorney General’s Office reported that four men died on-site, with four more fatalities occurring at hospitals early Sunday.
Authorities in Huitzilac and a nearby locality, Tres Marias, have been dealing with a string of multiple killings since May 1. These incidents include shootings resulting in fatalities, demonstrating a concerning trend of violence in the region.
Mexican officials have disclosed to local media the increased presence of drug cartel activities in Morelos over recent years. With reports indicating the operation of multiple criminal groups, including the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in the area, the situation remains challenging for law enforcement agencies.
In response to the escalating violence, the Morelos AG’s Office has advised the local business community against paying extortion fees to criminal organizations and emphasized the importance of reporting such activities to the authorities.
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory cautioning Americans to reconsider visiting Morelos due to the prevalent crime in the area, shedding light on the severity of the security situation in the region. The heightened level of criminal activity underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal authorities to address the root causes of violence in the community.