Two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by gunmen on Wednesday night in western Mexico, according to local officials. This incident represents a setback for the Mexican government’s ongoing efforts to reduce violence in several regions of the country.
The attack occurred in Angamacutiro, a town in the state of Michoacán, where drug gangs are engaged in fierce competition for control over the local economy and drug-trafficking routes. This incident follows a series of high-profile killings and abductions in the area.
The victims, identified by Mexican prosecutors as Rafael C., 53, and MarÃa Gloria A., 50, were residents of California who had arrived in late November to spend the holidays with family. Mexican officials typically withhold the full names of crime victims to avoid hindering investigations. Prosecutors noted that the man was born in the United States, while the woman was a naturalized American originally from Mexico. There is currently no information regarding the motive behind the attack.
Authorities became aware of the incident after security officers discovered the couple’s bullet-ridden vehicle on a street in Angamacutiro. The woman was found dead at the scene, while the man, who was gravely injured, was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early Thursday.
A spokesperson for the United States Embassy in Mexico confirmed that officials were “aware of the situation” and monitoring it closely. The State Department issued a statement acknowledging reports of the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Michoacán and stated that they are working to gather more information while standing ready to provide consular assistance if necessary.
The killings occurred amid a backdrop of escalating violence in Angamacutiro, which is adjacent to Guanajuato, one of Mexico’s most violent states. In late October, armed assailants assassinated the town’s police chief, and earlier this year, the former mayor, Maribel Juárez Blanquet, was abducted and remains missing. Her brother, a local congressman, was killed in 2020.
Ms. Juárez Blanquet previously expressed the challenges of her security situation, stating, “It is not easy for me to have nine bodyguards, to ride in an armored car — it is not a luxury; it is a necessity.” She emphasized her determination to continue despite threats against her.
The recent violence has marred the initial months of Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency, who was elected on a platform promising to address the rampant bloodshed across the country. In a security meeting held on Tuesday in Acapulco, she assured governors that her administration would work to reduce crime rates.
Ms. Sheinbaum outlined her security strategy, which focuses on four main points: preventing youth from joining criminal organizations by providing employment and educational opportunities; strengthening federal and local police forces to prevent collusion with organized crime; enhancing intelligence and investigations leading to high-profile arrests; and improving coordination among federal and state authorities.
During the meeting, Ms. Sheinbaum expressed confidence in her strategy, stating, “When I am asked if the strategy is going to work, I am convinced that it will.” The following day, gunmen shot and killed a senior judge as he exited a court building in Acapulco.