Among the victims were the security secretary and the police director of the city of Coyuca de BenĂtez, Guerrero. Anonymous sources told Reuters that these officials were lured to a location on the Acapulco-Zihuatanejo highway by a false report of a shootout.
"The State Attorney General's Office has initiated an investigation against the person or persons responsible for the crime of homicide by firearm, resulting in the deaths of thirteen individuals and attempted homicide involving two individuals who were injured, in relation to the events that transpired today in the municipality of Coyuca de Benitez," as stated by the Guerrero’s Attorney General's Office.
The Government of Coyuca de BenĂtez expressed gratitude for the presence of the State and Municipal Police, who, in collaboration with the Army, the Navy, and the National Guard, are working to restore and ensure the tranquility of the local communities.
This incident is not the first attack on public officials recently. In mid-September, the Guerrero Prosecutor's Office reported an attack on Deputy Prosecutor Alejandro Hernandez Mendoza and Director of Investigation Rafael Sosa Lagunas. They were leaving the Prosecutor's Office parking lot in the state capital at night when they were assaulted with firearms.
Reuters reported that criminal groups have been vying for control over the lucrative opium poppy trade and other smuggling routes passing through the region.
On the same Monday, in Michoacán, five civilians were killed during a failed attack against the brother of the mayor of the municipality of Tacámbaro de Codallos, Ricardo Moriya. The attack also resulted in injuries to three people, two of whom were policemen.
