Amid Clashes between Cartels in Chiapas, Mexico, 11 Dead including Nuns and Teenagers
Violent clashes between the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Chiapas, Mexico, have resulted in at least 11 casualties, including two nuns and a teenager, according to local reports.
The conflict, centered around the village of Nuevo Morelia, saw locals caught in the crossfire, with residents describing the situation as a massacre perpetrated by cartel members. Intense gunfire was reported on Monday night, with authorities confirming the discovery of 11 bodies in Nuevo Morelia and its vicinity on Tuesday.
The diocese of San Cristóbal confirmed the deaths of two women associated with the Catholic Church, though it remains unclear whether they were nuns or lay members. The violence stems from longstanding turf battles between the Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG, both vying for control of the region known for migrant extortion along routes to the US-Mexico border.
The recent escalation follows confrontations last week, where cartel members set abandoned homes ablaze, leaving some villages without power due to damage to electricity infrastructure. Despite police and forensic presence, local communities feel unprotected amidst the ongoing violence, which has forced residents to seek refuge in their homes for days at a time.