In a shocking incident, six severed heads were discovered on a road in central Mexico early Tuesday, an area surprisingly not known for such extreme cartel violence. The heads were located on a route connecting the generally peaceful states of Puebla and Tlaxcala, prompting concerns among local residents and officials alike.
While the exact motive remains elusive, police have yet to determine which criminal group may be responsible for this gruesome act. Local media reports mention that a blanket inscribed with a message aimed at rival gangs was found alongside the heads. This message was allegedly signed by a group named "La Barredora," or "the sweeper," which is associated with lesser-known criminal activities in the western state of Guerrero. However, the link to this group and the reasoning behind the horrific act remain uncertain.
The local prosecutor's office confirmed that the heads belong to men and has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths, as reported by AFP news agency. The region, in addition to drug trafficking, faces challenges with fuel smuggling known as "huachicolea," which generates significant revenues for criminal organizations involved in such activities.
Federal authorities have not yet reacted to this incident, which occurs amid a concerted effort by President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration to combat fentanyl trafficking. Historically, Puebla and Tlaxcala have avoided the severe cartel violence that afflicts other parts of Mexico. Recent events, however, indicate a broader resurgence of violence, with incidents reported elsewhere, including the discovery of 20 bodies, four of them decapitated, in Sinaloa and a deadly shooting at a Catholic Church festivity in Guanajuato that left seven youths dead.
With cartel-related violence soaring since the government began military operations against gangs in 2006, reports indicate that hundreds of thousands have lost their lives, while tens of thousands remain missing.
