Just a few hours before the world turns its attention to Mexico due to the opening of the Soccer World Cup, a tragedy occurred in the state of Michoacán.

This is an ambush perpetrated by an armed group against elements of the Civil Guard that left five police officers dead and five more injured in the municipality of Nahuatzen, reported the state Secretariat of Public Security (SSP).

The attack occurred when a police convoy was intercepted by armed men who opened fire on the officers while they were carrying out surveillance.

According to official reports, the police officers were traveling in institutional vehicles when they were surprised by the attackers.

After the ambush, five elements lost their lives at the scene and another five were injured, so they were transferred to hospitals in the region to receive medical attention, according to the weekly Proceso.

The SSP of Michoacán condemned the events and confirmed the deployment of a joint operation with state and federal forces to locate those responsible.

Elements of the Civil Guard, the National Guard, the Secretariat of National Defense and the State Attorney General's Office participate in the search actions.

According to the newspaper El Universal, the Nahuatzen region is an area that in recent months has recorded an escalation of violence linked to the dispute between organized crime groups.

State authorities have indicated the presence of cells of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in various municipalities in the area.

So far no arrests have been reported related to the attack, while investigations continue to clarify the facts and determine the identity of the attackers.