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Mass Shooting at Religious Festival
Gunmen opened fire on a street festival in Irapuato, Guanajuato, killing twelve people and injuring several others. The attack occurred during celebrations for the birthday of John the Baptist, a significant Catholic saint in Mexico. Social media footage showed panicked festival-goers fleeing as shots rang out. Among the victims was a 17-year-old teenager.
Ongoing Investigation
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed an investigation is underway, though no arrests have been made. The shooting marks the second massacre at a religious event in Guanajuato within a month, following another incident that claimed seven lives.
Guanajuato's Cartel Warfare
Irapuato lies in Mexico's most violent state, where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel battle for dominance. These groups profit from Guanajuato's strategic location along key drug trafficking routes to the United States and its industrial infrastructure.
Cartel Operations
The CJNG, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2025, controls extensive methamphetamine production. The Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel specializes in fuel theft and extortion. Their turf war has caused Guanajuato's homicide rate to surge, with over 28,816 murders reported in 2018 alone.
International Travel Advisory
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to southern Guanajuato due to extreme violence. Regional correspondent Boris van der Spek notes: "Industrial activity makes this territory valuable. The reasons behind such shootings often remain unclear - they could involve cartel conflicts, local corruption, or personal vendettas."
