The decapitated bodies of five men were discovered in Jalisco, Mexico, near the town of Ojuelos, a region heavily influenced by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The victims’ remains were found in black plastic bags along a roadside, with authorities suspecting the involvement of organized crime due to the brutality of the killings.
Jalisco has seen a high rate of cartel-related violence, with over 1,400 murders recorded in 2024 alone, reflecting Mexico’s broader struggle with escalating violence and cartel control.
This latest incident follows the assassination of Alejandro Arcos, mayor of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, last week, just days after he took office. His murder points to the deepening crisis of cartel violence across the country.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, sworn in last week, has pledged to avoid the heavy militarization seen in previous administrations, instead focusing on intelligence gathering and addressing the root causes of violence.
This approach, coined “hugs not bullets,” was championed by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, but has faced criticism from the opposition, who are calling for a stronger crackdown on cartels.
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