Explosion in western Mexican state of Michoacan leaves 2 dead, 7 injured

An explosion outside a police station in Michoacan, a western state of Mexico, on Saturday resulted in at least two deaths and left seven others injured, according to local and federal security sources.

The blast occurred amid intensified federal security operations, with additional troops deployed after two recent high-profile assassinations in the area. Hector Zepeda, commander of the Coahuayana community police, confirmed that two of his officers were killed, while several civilians were among the injured. Some victims were found at a distance from the explosion site, which also caused damage to nearby buildings.

With the federal operation, many marines arrived. Patrols have been paused while the operation continues, Zepeda stated.

The community police, patrolling multiple rural areas, are descendants of civilian vigilante groups formed over a decade ago to protect communities from drug cartel violence and were later formalized by the state. Coahuayana lies near the Pacific coast and the Colima state border, an area influenced by the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The explosion coincided with Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramrez Bedolla being in Mexico City to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Morena party with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Both leaders face criticism over worsening security in Michoacan, where several drug cartels compete for control, terrorizing residents. At least three of the six cartels designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. Jalisco New Generation, United Cartels, and The New Michoacan Family operate in the state, alongside local armed splinter groups, some supported by the Sinaloa Cartel.

Criminal groups increasingly use explosives dropped from drones, planted as mines, or left alongside roads. Last year, authorities seized around 3,000 explosive devices in Michoacan, compared to 160 in 2022. This year, more than 2,000 have already been reported by state security officials.

Michoacan is a major source of chemical precursors for synthetic drugs, and authorities dismantled 17 drug labs in the last two months. The state also produces avocados and limes for export, sectors long extorted by criminal groups.

The state government confirmed that an explosive device caused the incident but did not release further details. Online images showed a vehicle completely destroyed by fire. Last month, President Sheinbaum deployed 2,000 additional troops to Michoacan, supplementing 4,300 permanent forces and 4,000 stationed in neighboring states, after cartel-related killings of a lime growers representative and a popular local mayor.

Author: Connor Blake