In central Mexico, a disturbing discovery of six severed heads on a road has prompted a significant investigation. The area where the heads were found, linking the states of Puebla and Tlaxcala, is typically peaceful and not known for cartel violence.
Local authorities uncovered the gruesome scene early Tuesday morning. The motive behind the killings and the specific criminal groups involved remain unknown at this time. A blanket left at the site carried a warning message to rival gangs, purportedly signed by a group known as “La Barredora” or “the sweeper.”
Although “La Barredora” is a lesser-known criminal gang in Guerrero, it is unclear if they were responsible for the incident. The Tlaxcala Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the heads belonged to men as they initiated an investigation into the tragic event.
Federal authorities have yet to provide an official statement regarding the killings. The region is not only affected by drug-trafficking but also faces challenges with fuel smuggling, known as “huachicoleo,” which generates significant profits for criminal organizations.
This unsettling development occurs amid President Claudia Sheinbaum’s intensified efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking. While Tlaxcala and Puebla are generally peaceful regions located near Mexico City, they still grapple with criminal activities like human trafficking, drug trafficking, and fuel theft due to their strategic geographical positions.
In a separate incident in Puebla in 2022, authorities discovered 116 migrants of various nationalities being transported in a truck. Contrastingly, in Sinaloa, a state marked by gang violence, 20 male bodies were found with gunshot wounds in June, including five that were decapitated.
Furthermore, a tragic shooting at a Catholic Church festival in Guanajuato in May resulted in the deaths of seven Mexican youths. The surge in cartel violence in Mexico in recent years has led to a staggering number of casualties and disappearances, stemming from the government’s military actions against gangs since 2006.
