A security operation carried out in the municipality of Tecomán, Colima (western Mexico), led to an armed confrontation that left at least one alleged criminal dead, two agents from the State Prosecutor's Office injured and a series of road blockades with burned vehicles that paralyzed traffic on the Manzanillo-Colima highway for several hours.

According to official information released by the state government, members of the Investigative Police went to respond to a report received through the 911 emergency line when they were attacked with gunshots by armed individuals traveling in a vehicle. During the exchange of gunfire, two officers were injured and one of the alleged attackers died at the scene.

State authorities indicated that, after the attack, federal and state corporations launched an operation to locate and arrest those responsible. However, the persecution provoked violent reactions from the criminals, who set fire to several vehicles and set up blockades in different parts of the region to prevent the advance of the security forces.

Blockades and chaos on the highway

Local media reported that the events occurred near the community of Caleras, in Tecomán. As part of the actions of the armed groups, several trailers were crossed and set on fire on the Manzanillo-Colima highway, one of the main communication routes in the State.

Videos broadcast on social networks showed columns of black smoke rising from different points on the road, as well as cargo units consumed by fire. One of the recordings shows the moment when a train hits a tractor-trailer that had been used to block the tracks.

Civil Protection authorities confirmed that the fires were controlled hours later, although traffic remained partially affected while security and removal of damaged units continued.

In addition to the road blockades, schools and nearby establishments suspended activities preventively. In some educational establishments, students and teaching staff were sheltered inside the classrooms while the confrontations and operations took place.

Preliminary reports indicated that at least six points were blocked by criminal groups, mainly by burning cargo trucks.

Search operation continues

The Government of Colima reported that those responsible managed to escape and that the operation remained active until Monday night. The authorities indicated that as the investigations progress, more information about what happened will be released.

Unofficially, some reports indicated that among those detained would be a US citizen allegedly linked to an arrest warrant for homicide in the United States. However, this information had not been fully confirmed by state authorities at the time of going to press.

The violence recorded in Colima reflects the persistent dispute between organized crime groups operating in the Mexican Pacific region. The State, despite its size, has been the constant scene of violent events related to drug trafficking and the presence of criminal organizations such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Just in mid-May, state security forces reported the death of two alleged members of that criminal group during another operation carried out in the state capital, including a target considered a priority known by the alias "Huesos."