Residents of Ciudad Guzmán, in Mexico's west-central state of Jalisco, took to the streets June 5 to demand the withdrawal of military troops from the municipality—and the reappearance alive of two local youths. Mexican naval troops were ordered to the town, also known as Zapotlan el Grande, to fight the New Generation cartel, but were accused by locals of "disappearing" the two young residents—one just 17 years old. In both cases, witnesses claim the young men were detained by the Navy and were never seen again. Navy troops fired shots in the air after the rally turned violent, with protesters throwing rocks and bottles—possibly due to infiltration by provocateurs. At least three were reported wounded.
That same day, a deadly clash was reported from the nearby community of Bajío de San José, Encarnación de Díaz municipality. Armed residents reportedly attacked a state police patrol, sparking a shott-out in which seven civilians were killed.. (Mexco News Daily, June 6; El Sol de Mexico, TeleSur, June 5)
Terror continues on Gulf Coast
Elsewhere in Mexico, the wave of deadly attacks on journalists has again escalated, with two more reporters slain in the conflicted northeastern state of Tamaulipas over the past weeks. The body of Hector Gonzalez, a local correspondent for national daily Excelsior, was found in the state capital Ciudad Victoria May 29. (Reuters, May 29) Juan Carlos Huerta was killed May 15 as he was leaving his home in Centro municipality, in the southern Gulf Coast state of Tabasco. Huerta’s death came on the one-year anniversary of the murder of journalist Javier Valdez in Sinaloa state. To mark the day, journalists around the country were hosting events to call attention to continuing violence against media workers (Journalism in the Americas, Tabasco Hoy, May 15)
Photo: El Sol de Mexico
