**15 Arrested in Tecpan: 11 Foreign Nationals Among Them**
The Attorney General’s Office of Guerrero announced that 15 individuals have been arrested following armed attacks that took place early Thursday morning on October 24th, in Tecpan de Galeana. Of those detained, 10 are Guatemalan, one is Salvadoran, and the remaining four are Mexican.
Initial reports indicate that armed assailants entered the conflict zone and attacked municipal security officers who were carrying out their routine patrol duties. In response, personnel from the military, National Guard, State Police, and Detective Agents launched an operation which led to the arrests.
During the operation, authorities also found over 15 explosive devices which were safely detonated by the Mexican Army. Additionally, they seized 21 long firearms, 5,500 rounds of ammunition, 60 magazines, various tactical gear, and 17 armored vehicles reported stolen.
An investigation has been opened by the Public Ministry for charges of aggravated homicide, attempted homicide, serious injuries against security personnel, and public disturbance in the community. Police detectives have been ordered to conduct in-depth investigations while forensic teams collected evidence from the scene to ensure justice and combat impunity.
The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, provided a detailed timeline of the incident in Tecpan de Galeana which resulted in 19 deaths. He emphasized that there would be no impunity for the crimes committed. According to the investigation, the first gunfire took place at 4:55 a.m., involving at least 16 vehicles. Harfuch shared a video showing the initial assault on Tecpan’s outskirts at 5:05 a.m., resulting in the killing of two detective officers.
By 5:30 a.m., the attackers, in five vehicles, targeted military personnel stationed at a base near “El Moreno.” Another attack was recorded at 6:15 a.m., involving additional military personnel providing reinforcements, which culminated in the arrest of six assailants and the deaths of 15 attackers.
Harfuch attributed this wave of violence to the gang “Gente Nueva,” whose initials, GNG, were marked on the attackers’ vehicles. The GNG sought to confront “Los Granados,” a long-established criminal group in the region. The gangs used high-caliber weapons like the .50 caliber Barrett and 7.62×51 Minimi machine guns, prompting investigators to probe their origins.
Images captured by locals showed vehicles with the GNG markings associated with the gang believed to be aligned with La Familia Michoacana, a group with significant influence in the area.
**Secondary Article: Increasing Violence in Southern Guerrero**
Recent events in Tecpan de Galeana highlight the ongoing violence plaguing southern Guerrero states. Criminal gangs such as “Gente Nueva” and “Los Granados” have intensified their confrontations, employing sophisticated weaponry and showing a brazen contempt for law enforcement efforts.
Authorities are grappling with the complexity of these organized crime networks, which frequently cross borders, bringing new challenges in arresting key figures and stemming the flow of illegal arms. As strategic operations continue, the priority remains on ensuring public safety and diminishing the influence of these criminal groups.
Local communities, meanwhile, have been caught in the crossfire, prompting concerns about safety and the need for increased support from state and federal governments to restore peace in the region.