Deadly Attack at Football Match in Salamanca, Mexico
Eleven individuals were killed and approximately a dozen injured when armed men opened fire at a football pitch in Salamanca, Guanajuato, central Mexico, on a recent Sunday. The incident occurred at the conclusion of a local match, where witnesses reported hearing at least 100 shots. Local and federal authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, with the motive remaining unclear.
Incident Details
The attack took place at the Cabañas pitch in the Loma de Flores neighborhood of Salamanca. Many families had reportedly remained at the grounds after a match between local clubs when the armed individuals initiated the assault. Ten individuals died at the scene, and one additional person succumbed to injuries at a hospital.
Among the victims were at least one woman and one child, with two sources identifying them as fatalities and one source reporting them as wounded.
Official Response and Investigation
Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto stated that the attack contributes to a "crime wave" in the city and appealed to President Claudia Sheinbaum for support in controlling the violence.
Mayor Prieto also commented that "criminal groups are attempting to subjugate authorities," asserting that they would not succeed.
The Guanajuato state prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation into the incident and is coordinating with federal authorities to reinforce security in the affected area. The motive behind the shooting has not yet been determined.
Regional Violence Context
This incident followed other violent events in Salamanca the previous day, where five men were killed and one individual was abducted. Guanajuato state recorded the highest number of homicides in Mexico last year.
The Mexican government reported a national murder rate of 17.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, stating it was the lowest figure recorded since 2016. However, analysts have noted that these national statistics may not fully reflect the country's overall violence levels.
Role of Criminal Organizations
The increase in violence in Guanajuato is associated with various criminal gangs involved in activities such as oil and fuel theft, drug trafficking, and extortion. Salamanca, which is home to a significant Pemex refinery, has been particularly affected by gang-related attacks. Analysts attribute many violent incidents in the region to the rivalry between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL).
International Implications and Responses
The criminal activities of these organizations, including the smuggling of stolen fuel and illicit drugs, have contributed to violence extending into the United States. The US State Department previously designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and has imposed sanctions on CSRL.
US President Donald Trump has prioritized combating criminal gangs involved in trafficking illicit drugs.
He has previously stated that "cartels are running Mexico" and has threatened land strikes against "narco-terrorists."
The US has conducted at least 36 strikes against suspected drug-transporting vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in approximately 125 deaths, operations whose legality has been questioned by legal experts and critics.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently transferred 37 "high-impact" suspects to the US. Local media described this action as an effort by her government to cooperate with US counternarcotic initiatives and potentially avert unilateral US strikes against cartels within Mexican territory.