Mexican authorities suspect that the powerful Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel orchestrated a car bomb attack on a police station in Ojocaliente, Zacatecas. The blast, which occurred overnight on Sunday, injured two police officers and eight civilians. The attack is believed to be in reprisal for the capture of an 18-year-old hitman associated with the cartel.
State prosecutor Cristian Camacho linked the incident to the arrest of the 18-year-old, who claimed to be a hitman for the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel. 'We do not rule out that yesterday's attack was a reaction' to the arrest, Camacho told Formula Radio, adding that 'everything indicates' that the cartel was responsible for the bomb.
A man had parked the explosives-laden car next to the station and walked away with the engine still running, state government secretary Rodrigo Reyes told a press conference. An officer was about to inspect the vehicle when the explosive device was triggered just before he left the station.
The potent explosion damaged 17 buildings and 11 vehicles, leading to the suspension of schools on Monday. A resident, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told AFP, 'My son... felt a hot wind and then felt the whole house shudder.' An AFP journalist observed at least six destroyed cars lining the cordoned-off street, littered with rubble and glass.
Zacatecas is a key transit point for drugs making their way into the United States, and the presence of trafficking groups has provoked extreme violence in the state. In July, five bodies appeared hanging from a bridge in the town of Pozos de Gamboa, about 75 kilometers from Ojocaliente. The killings drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who promised to arrest whoever was behind them.
The ongoing violence in Zacatecas underscores the challenges faced by Mexican authorities in combating powerful drug cartels. The state has become a battleground for control between Mexico's two largest drug cartels, leading to a series of violent incidents. This recent car bomb attack is the third of its kind in less than a week, highlighting the escalating tensions and retaliatory actions within the region.
For Bangladesh, the situation in Mexico serves as a stark reminder of the global nature of drug trafficking and the associated violence. While Bangladesh faces its own challenges with drug cartels and organized crime, understanding the dynamics in other parts of the world can provide valuable insights into combating these threats effectively.
