Violence in Guanajuato: a string of deadly incidents in Salamanca and surrounding municipalities
There were six people killed this Monday in the municipality of Salamanca, located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, with authorities reporting the incident in the state’s capital. This event capped a day of violence that began with the killing of the mayor’s son in a neighboring community and prompted officials to call for a careful review of security measures.
In the Barrón neighborhood, near the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz primary school, about 19 kilometers from the municipal seat, six individuals—four men and two women—died in a single incident. Early accounts indicate the victims were gathered for a local neighborhood meeting when the attack occurred, a detail that has raised concerns among residents and law enforcement about the level of protection for community gatherings in the area.
Earlier in the day, in Villagrán, Florencio Lara González, son of the municipality’s mayor, was killed while traveling in his vehicle. His wife, Mildred Elizabeth Alvarado, died at the hospital shortly thereafter. Governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez commented to the media that an investigation is needed to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, underscoring the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the case.
These incidents come on the heels of a separate tragedy two weeks earlier, when a mass shooting at a bar in the Celaya municipality left eleven people dead. The spree of violence across Guanajuato has drawn national attention to the region and prompted discussions about public safety strategies, police resources, and the protection of civilians in both urban and rural settings.
According to data from the National Public Safety System Executive Secretariat, Guanajuato recorded a high level of homicides during the early months of the year, a pattern that has positioned the state among those with the most violent incidents in the country. Officials emphasize that the pace of violence fluctuates with events in different municipalities, while still highlighting a broader trend that continues to demand coordinated efforts from local, state, and federal agencies. This ongoing situation has led to renewed calls for improved patrols, faster response times, and targeted investigations to dismantle organized groups and reduce risk in affected communities.
As authorities continue to investigate these cases, residents and leaders in Guanajuato stress the importance of transparency and accountability. They urge the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with investigators, and support measures aimed at restoring a sense of safety in neighborhoods that have been touched by multiple violent episodes. The state government reiterates its commitment to working with federal partners to strengthen crime prevention and community resilience, while residents await further updates about arrests and preventive actions.