In a series of coordinated attacks on October 3, 2024, twelve individuals lost their lives in Salamanca, a city in Mexico's Guanajuato state. This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing violence plaguing the region, which has been grappling with cartel conflicts for years.
Salamanca, a city of over 270,000 residents as of 2020, is known for its significant oil refinery operated by Pemex, Mexico's state-owned oil company. The bodies of the victims were discovered at various locations throughout the city, with authorities reporting that a cartel banner was found alongside some of the deceased.
This tragic event follows a recent attack on October 1, 2024, at a drug rehabilitation center in Salamanca, where four individuals were killed and two others wounded. Such centers have frequently been targeted in cartel-related violence across Mexico.
The violence in Salamanca is attributed to an ongoing turf war between two prominent criminal organizations: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. The CJNG, one of Mexico's most powerful and violent criminal groups, reportedly controls urban areas, while the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, known primarily for fuel theft, dominates rural regions.
Guanajuato state, a major industrial and agricultural center in Mexico, has been experiencing a steady rise in homicide rates since 2015. The state's strategic location makes it valuable for drug trafficking routes, contributing to its status as the state with the highest number of homicides in the country.
"Unfortunately, this is a conflict between delinquent groups. The civil population has nothing to do with this."
The security situation in Salamanca remains complex, with the city having seen three different police directors in the past three years (2021-2024). This frequent turnover in law enforcement leadership highlights the challenges in effectively combating organized crime in the area.
Despite the presence of Mexico's National Guard, a federal security force created in 2019, violence persists. The use of high-powered weapons by cartels often outmatches local law enforcement capabilities, while corruption within police forces further complicates efforts to address the issue.
The ongoing conflict has had far-reaching consequences for the local population. Extortion of businesses, forced disappearances, and the use of "narco-mantas" (banners with cartel messages) have become common occurrences in areas affected by cartel violence.
As investigations into the recent attacks continue, authorities have yet to identify clear suspects. The situation in Salamanca underscores the broader challenges Mexico faces in its long-standing struggle against drug cartels and organized crime, which has intensified since the launch of the country's war on drugs in 2006.
The persistent violence in Guanajuato, particularly in cities like Salamanca, raises questions about the effectiveness of current security strategies. While Mexico's president has promoted a "hugs, not bullets" approach to addressing cartel violence, the situation in Salamanca suggests that more comprehensive and sustained efforts may be necessary to bring lasting peace to the region.