At least 11 people have lost their lives in clashes between rival cartels in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, with reports indicating that two nuns and a teenager are among the victims.
The conflict zone in Chiapas is contested by the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with residents describing the victims as locals who were “massacred” by cartel members.
The violence erupted with intense gunfire on Monday night, leading to the discovery of 11 bodies in the village of Nuevo Morelia and its vicinity, confirmed by police and soldiers on Tuesday.
The diocese of San Cristóbal, to which Nuevo Morelia belongs, confirmed the deaths of two women associated with the Catholic Church, along with a 15-year-old boy.
However, their roles within the Church were not specified.
The region has been a battleground for the Sinaloa cartel and CJNG for years, particularly as they target migrants passing through the state en route to the US-Mexico border, often resorting to extortion.
The ongoing violence has severely impacted local communities, forcing residents to take refuge in their homes during confrontations between the cartels.
In January, many fled their homes in Chicomuselo, the same area as Nuevo Morelia, to escape escalating violence.
Recent clashes saw abandoned homes set ablaze, leaving some villages without electricity as gang members damaged power infrastructure.
Despite police and forensic presence in the area, locals feel inadequately protected, highlighting the challenges faced by communities amidst ongoing cartel conflicts.
Source-BBC
