Mine event in Mexico on Fri 30th August 2024

Landmine explodes in patrol car carrying Michoacán commander and 3 bodyguards

A commander of the Civil Guard of the state of Michoacán was injured along with three of his escorts, when a homemade landmine exploded while they were patrolling the Tierra Caliente region, currently under dispute by four drug cartels.

The Civil Guard reported that the explosion occurred on Thursday afternoon, in an area with dirt roads in the town of Punta de Agua, in the municipality of Buenavista Tomatlán, Michoacán.

The agents were traveling aboard a patrol car that detonated the explosive as it passed by.hidden between earth and tree branches.

The explosion caused injuries to Angel Rios Hernandezcommander of the Civil Guard in the Tierra Caliente region, as well as three police officers who act as his bodyguards, identified as Marco Antonio Gutiérrez Jiménez, Egdar Rodríguez Alvarado and Blanca Estela Ayala León.

The four officers were transported by their colleagues in three Michoacán government helicopters to the emergency area of ​​the Regional Hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute, located in Morelia, the state capital.

The victims were part of a police-military operation that was deployed since Thursday morning in Tierra Caliente, in response to a series of shootouts involving hitmen from four drug cartels: Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Viagras, Tepalcatepec Cartel and The Knights Templar.

These criminal groups are fighting for control of the production and trafficking of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as other activities such as kidnapping and extortion of lemon producers, ranchers, farmers, merchants, transporters and businessmen.

The wave of violence led to blockades on the highway that links the municipalities of Apatzingán, Buenavista and Tepalcatepec, where at least three vehicles were set on fire, while schools in the region decided to suspend classes.