MEXICO CITY: Mexico has launched a massive offensive against an especially brazen drug cartel that shot down a military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, killing six soldiers in an increasingly bloody campaign for control of Jalisco state.
The New Generation Jalisco Cartel is rapidly emerging as one of the most powerful, and deadly, organized crime syndicates in the troubled country. The western state of Jalisco is home to Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, and tourist haven Puerto Vallarta.
Jalisco contains the country’s highest population of expatriate Americans.
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At least 15 state cops were killed in a recent ambush by cartel thugs who set up a roadblock with burning cars and buses. The so-called “narco-blockades” have also been ignited on highways and rural roads and in residential areas.
Members of the crime syndicate have burned banks, gas stations and other businesses in the past few weeks.
“The full force of the Mexican state will be felt in the state of Jalisco. Satisfactory results will start to be seen very soon,” National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido told Televisa.
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The downing of the Army helicopter occurred Friday as soldiers were pursuing a cartel convoy. The Army’s mission reportedly was to capture the syndicate’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes.
Local authorities have cautioned residents to stay at home. The Canadian embassy warned tourists to stay inside and limit their movements.
American citizens have been told by the U.S. Consulate General to avoid traveling in the area.
