UAV event in Mexico on Tue 27th August 2024

Authorities in the Mexican state of Michoacan say they have “restored order” after criminal gangs blocked roads, set vehicles on fire and reportedly attacked a police station with explosive devices dropped by drones.

“Order in Tierra Caliente (region) has been strengthened. Traffic in Apatzingan and Buenavista has been restored and safety operations continue,” the Michoacan state police said on social media Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Mexican news media said drones bombed the police station in Buenavista. Proceso reported three explosions but no injuries. “This action was followed by shootings, highway blockades and the burning of vehicles,” the Mexico City news portal reported.

The newspaper Excelsior showed videos on its website of a burning bus and a passenger exiting amid smoke. One of its correspondents reported from behind the safety of a wall that parents in the town had picked up their children from school fearing the violence would spread.

Citing unnamed police sources, El Financiero attributed the attacks to fighting between criminal gangs identified as Los Viagras, Cartel del Abuelo, Templar Knights and the larger Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The Jalisco cartel for years has been fighting local groups for control of drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Tierra Caliente region of Mexico, which includes portions of Michoacan, Guerrero and Mexico State.

A high-ranking Mexican official earlier this month told The Associated Press cartel drone attacks in Michoacan have claimed the lives of an unspecified number of soldiers. Defense Minister Luis Crescencio Sandoval said the army is acquiring anti-drone systems to combat the threat.

Mexico documented 260 drone attacks involving explosive devices in 2023, according to the Ministry of Defense. Most of the attacks have been attributed to the Jalisco cartel.