Conflicting drug cartels vie for control in Veracruz, with the Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) front-runners for dominance.
In the troubled landscape of Veracruz, Mexico, a series of violent incidents have been reported, leaving a trail of tragedy and fear in its wake.
Between January and February of 2024, the municipality of Tuxpan witnessed two separate massacres, claiming at least 15 lives. These brutal events are just a part of the larger violence that has engulfed the region.
The public security secretariat acknowledges the presence of 5-7 criminal groups in Veracruz, including the Sangre Nueva Zeta, Mando Sur Gente Nueva, CJNG, Bukanas gang, Zetas Vieja Escuela, Los Piña, Gulf Cartel, Noreste Cartel, Los Zetas, Grupo Sombra, Los Ántrax, Cartel of the Century, Carteles Unidos, and suspected involvement of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Amidst this chaos, an alliance between at least three criminal groups, including Grupo Sombra and Los Tercios, has formed with a common enemy: the cell of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel led by El Coco, who is believed to be responsible for the massacres in Poza Rica and Tuxpan. Other groups such as Los Pelones, Sinaloa Cartel, Zetas Vieja Escuela, Cártel del Noreste, and Células Independientes have also joined this alliance to "take out" El Coco's group.
The involved persons fighting against El Coco's cell include government security forces, including the Mexican Army, federal police, and local law enforcement agencies. However, the violence shows no signs of abating, with clandestine graves being discovered across Veracruz. Thirteen such graves have been found so far, with 12 in Tihuatlán and one in Poza Rica.
The disputes in this region are over Huachicol (stolen fuel), protection fees, extortion, drug sales, and human trafficking. The Jalisco Cartel, in particular, keeps citrus growers and ranchers in terror in the Martínez de la Torre-Tlapacoyan region, charging them for protection to avoid being kidnapped.
The use of very young people to commit violent acts is another concerning factor that is aggravating the situation in Mexico. The escalating violence is forcing residents to flee to neighbouring countries, such as Guatemala, in search of safety and peace.
This ongoing conflict in Veracruz underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat crime and restore peace in the region. The Veracruz Daily Post and Excelsior are the sources of this information.
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