Mexico city: Burnt-out cars and trucks littered highways in Mexico yesterday after drug cartel members blocked several roads, affecting major routes in the western part of the country. National Guard and regional police cordoned off the affected areas, and traffic is beginning to resume, with vehicles scrambling to avoid the debris.
According to Thai News Agency, Mexican authorities are scrambling to clear burnt-out vehicles from several highways following violent drug cartel clashes. Mexican President Claudia Shebaum revealed that approximately seven roads remained closed on Tuesday, but authorities had cleared all routes and were preparing to remove burnt vehicle wreckage from the areas to clean up the highways. She also held direct discussions with the governors of Jalisco and Michoac¡n, and officials are working to reopen schools on February 25th. Meanwhile, Guadalajara International Airport, the capital of Jalisco state, and the resort town of Puerto Vallarta are gradually resuming operations, but thousands of troops and National Guard personnel remain deployed to maintain security.
The road closures and car arson occurred following the arrest and killing of Nemesio Oseceur¡, also known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel, by Mexican security forces on Sunday. This angered cartel members, leading to violent riots, road closures, and arson in retaliation for the government operation-a tactic often used by drug groups to pressure authorities. The violence resulted in more than 70 deaths.
Meanwhile, authorities are scrambling to apprehend 23 inmates who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta after a group of armed men rammed their vehicle through the prison gate during a clash with security forces, allowing the 23 prisoners to escape. Jalisco state security is coordinating with other states to quickly apprehend the fugitives, but no details about the escaped inmates have been released.