Mexican army mobilizes in large numbers, determined to confront drug gangs

AP reported on September 28 that the move came after drug gangs blocked roads and cut off power in several areas of Mexico over the weekend.

As drug gangs have taken control of parts of Chiapas state, some government workers have had to fly in by helicopter to repair the power grid.

Quân đội Mexico điều động rầm rộ, quyết đối đầu các băng đảng ma túy - Ảnh 1.

Mexican Armed Forces. Photo: AP

About 800 soldiers, national guard members and police were seen in the town of Frontera Comalapa, where the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel overran the area last weekend.

Mexican military convoys encountered no resistance from drug cartels on September 27. However, local residents are skeptical that the temporary calm will last.

In May 2023, the Mexican army carried out a similar operation but then withdrew. Officer Felix Moreno Ibarra announced that this time, they would stay until they recaptured the territories occupied by criminals.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged on September 25 that drug gangs had cut off power to some towns and banned government workers from going to rural areas to repair the power grid.

"Drug cartels are fighting for control of drug trafficking routes leading to southern Mexico from Central America. The area around the town of Frontera Comalapa is also a migrant smuggling route," said Mr. López Obrador.

The ongoing turf war between the Sinaloa cartel and its rival Jalisco New Generation continues in the rural area north of the border city of Tapachula, and the conflict threatens to spill over into Guatemala.

According to Colonel Manolo Tuyuc of the Guatemalan army, they have deployed about 2,000 soldiers and 350 military vehicles to the border with Mexico.

"We have received reports of armed men in vehicles traveling from Mexico to Guatemala, threatening our communities," Tuyuc said.

Pham Nghia

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