The recent violence in Querétaro, including the tragic attack at the bar “Los Cantaritos”, is the result of a confrontation between rival criminal cells with roots in Guanajuato, said Omar García Harfuch, federal Secretary of Citizen Security.
During the morning conference of President Claudia Sheinbaum this Tuesday, the official revealed that there is progress in the investigations and that a meeting is scheduled with the governor of Querétaro Mauricio Kuri in Mexico City to coordinate actions and clarify the facts.
“This is the third event related to events in Querétaro and it has to do with Guanajuato. Let us remember that on November 7 there was also another event in a restaurant where three people lost their lives. This last event is related to that aggression; that is, it is a rivalry between two criminal cells,” said Harfuch, who ruled out that these attacks are related to other recent violent events in the State of Mexico.
García Harfuch stressed that close collaboration was established between Queretaro and Guanajuato authorities, in addition to the participation of the Attorney General’s Office and the State Police. Under instructions from President Claudia Sheinbaum, the secretary explained that they are coordinating the security strategy and assured that there is already one person detained in relation to the events.
“We are working with the Attorney General’s Office, with the Querétaro Attorney General’s Office and the State Police. We have had very close collaboration with the Querétaro State Police,” Harfuch emphasized.
How did the massacre at the ‘Los Cantaritos’ bar occur?
On Saturday night in Querétaro, three men arrived at the “Los Cantaritos” bar aboard a gray pick-up truck. According to investigations, one of them got out to ask the valet parking about a subject identified as Fernando “N”, alias “La Flaca”, considered the main target of the attack. Moments later, the other two men entered and fired directly at a table, leaving 10 dead and 13 wounded.
Fernando, alias “La Flaca”, 31, was one of the deceased. According to the Presidency of the Republic, González Núñez was linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG) and had a history of recruiting hitmen through social networks, where he offered payments to those who knew how to handle firearms. This possible dispute between the CJNG and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel would be the cause of the attack, as detailed by the Presidency in an information sheet.
“La Flaca”: a disputed target
Fernando had allegedly taken control of the plaza after the arrest of his predecessor known as “el ¾”, who was captured in an operation in Hidalgo. The border region between Querétaro, the State of Mexico and Hidalgo had become the main scene of his activities.
Sources from the Querétaro Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the “Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel” had focused its attention on González Núñez as a priority target due to its control over the illegal extraction of fuel.
In addition, on social media, Fernando “La Flaca” displayed firearms for the exclusive use of the army and boasted of his connections with other groups in Colombia. The State Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Fernando had already been arrested twice this year, in March and August, for possession of firearms.
Response from the authorities and securing of evidence
In the operation, the authorities managed to arrest a suspected suspect for obstructing investigations. During the operation, which lasted more than six hours, various clues were collected, including two vehicles: the van used by the attackers and the car in which Fernando “La Flaca” had arrived at the bar.
“We have secured the vehicle in which the responsible persons left and the vehicle in which the target arrived. Both are currently being processed to identify the alleged attackers,” explained deputy prosecutor Humberto Pérez González.
Situation in Guanajuato and coordination with Querétaro
In Guanajuato, the Secretary of Government, Jorge Jiménez Lona, highlighted the close communication between Governor Libia García and Governor Kuri to reinforce security in neighboring areas. Although the official indicated that the attacks are a general security problem in the country, he emphasized that Guanajuato and its neighboring states, such as Jalisco and Michoacán, have strengthened interstate strategies for the exchange of information and crime control.
“Sharing information about vehicles, wanted persons and collaborating between prosecutors is key to stopping this violence,” stressed Jiménez Lona, who reiterated that they are working together on security issues and sharing vital data to maintain effective monitoring of criminal activities in the region.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered an increase in military presence in both states. The bar “Los Cantaritos” remains secured to facilitate the collection of additional evidence. The Queretaro Prosecutor’s Office reported that it will interview witnesses and other indirect victims of the attack to obtain more information about those responsible, allegedly linked to the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel.
Source: elsoldeleon
