Authorities in Baja California Sur reported that, as a result of the violent incidents—shootings and vehicle burnings—reported in recent hours in the municipalities of La Paz and Los Cabos, operations were deployed to “surround” these tourist areas and make other arrests of perpetrators of violence.
“Various operations are underway in both La Paz and Los Cabos to surround the cities following yesterday’s events, which generated panic among the public,” said Antonio López Rodríguez, head of the state Attorney General’s Office (PGJE), during a media briefing.
The official listed the shootings, murders, confrontations, and threats that have occurred since last week in the state, from the northern area, in the municipality of Mulegé, to the port of Los Cabos. He stated that the events are allegedly linked and the result of criminal activity in this region.
He also acknowledged that they may also be related to the narco-banners that have appeared on various pedestrian bridges, fences, and even in school areas, where threats have also been made against members of local security forces. Three more appeared this Friday.
“These are complex issues that require an investigation, and we are working on them… this is the activity of criminal groups from Guerrero Negro to Cabo San Lucas, and the appearance of narco-banners that literally threaten civilians, but also people belonging to state security institutions, has alerted us, and we believe all the events are related,” he explained.
The official—accompanied by other military and federal and local public security commanders—maintained that a “comprehensive investigation” is being conducted into all the events, including the burning of motor vehicles recorded yesterday in Los Cabos, which had the objective, he said, “of generating panic toward one (criminal) group and sympathy for another.”
Four perpetrators of violence arrested
He added that the shootings, attacks on security officers, burning of vehicles, and threats by criminal groups “have put all institutions on alert,” and early this morning resulted in the arrest of four people in Los Cabos, as well as various weapons, in a joint operation.
Regarding this operation, he explained that an investigation was conducted into the burning of vehicles yesterday and the perpetrators of violence were identified; a search was carried out at a home, and a criminal cell of four men from the state of Nayarit operating in the area was dismantled.
“We will continue working to maintain calm. Trust in the authorities, in the plan we have, and in the support we have from the federal government to get through these times that have us all on alert and are moving us to not have security for our families,” he stated.
Questions were not allowed during the meeting with the media. The officials left after the briefing.
At least three operations were carried out this afternoon in different parts of La Paz. One of them took place at a hotel called Casa Jalisco, on Ignacio Ramírez and Jalisco streets, where several people were reportedly detained. According to witnesses, several local merchants took at least five people away; however, authorities have not confirmed the results of today’s operations.
Source: eluniversal
