An intense gun battle unfolded on a highway in Veracruz, pitting a criminal group against police forces and leaving three people dead this Tuesday. The clash occurred on the federal road linking Tuxpan and Tampico, near the town of Naranjos in the northern portion of the state. A squad of armed individuals opened fire on Veracruz’s Civil Force officers and members of the National Guard, who responded with return fire and neutralized three alleged criminals.
Authorities reported that weapons, tactical gear, attire associated with criminal cells, and a vehicle were recovered at the scene. Following the confrontation, federal and state officers activated Red Code operations in the municipality of Naranjos to boost perimeter control, search efforts, and interoperability between agencies.
This year has seen Veracruz grapple with a rising tide of violence set against the backdrop of elections to renew the governorship and fifty state legislative seats. By the end of January, gruesome discoveries in the port of Tuxpan revealed at least eight dismembered bodies in two vehicles, alongside the assassination of a local political figure from a left-leaning party and the mayor of Sayula de Alemán, Andrés Valencia Ríos, affiliated with a rival party.
Looking back to 2023, Veracruz ranked seventh nationwide for the highest number of extreme-violence incidents, according to civil organization Causa en Común. The organization tallied 260 events deemed “atrocious” with 2,355 victims, placing the state at the top in national tallies. The most severe crimes reported in Veracruz last year included at least 52 murders of women with extreme cruelty, 48 cases of torture, and at least 35 incidents of mutilation, dismemberment, and cadaver destruction.
Civic authorities emphasize that the state remains under strain from organized crime dynamics, election-year tensions, and ongoing struggles to secure public safety. The reporting underscores the need for persistent, coordinated strategies across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt criminal networks and protect citizens as Veracruz navigates a challenging period of political and social uncertainty. Attribution: Veracruz Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) and related law-enforcement entities report details of incidents and ongoing operational responses.