Mexican National Guardsman kills 3 fellow service members in Michoacan state

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican National Guardsman shot and killed three fellow soldiers at a barracks in the western Mexican state of Michoacan over the weekend. recent high-profile murders.

A federal official confirmed the shooting to The Associated Press on Monday and asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The official said the attack, in which a fourth soldier was also injured, was being investigated.

The suspect was in custody in Michoacan.

The shooting occurred just hours after an incident on Saturday. car bomb exploded Five people were killed outside a local police station in Coahuayana, Michoacan.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum declined to provide further details Monday.

The explosion and the National Guard shooting came as the federal government stepped up security efforts in the state and sent additional troops after two recent high-profile assassinations.

Last month, Sheinbaum sent 2,000 troops to Michoacan, along with 4,300 permanent troops and 4,000 in neighboring states, following the killing of an outspoken man. representative of lime growers and a popular mayor He stands against the cartels.

At least three of the six drug cartels the Trump administration has designated as terrorist organizations (Jalisco New Generation, United Cartels, and New Michoacan Family) operate in Michoacan; A number of indigenous armed splinter groups also operate in Michoacan, some supported by the Sinaloa Cartel.