Cartel Split Fuels Violence in Western Mexico

An apparent split within one of Mexico’s most violent cartels is responsible for a wave of violence in a western state.

The most recent attacks took place this week in Colima City, Colima. The violence is linked to the efforts of a local drug lord to push out the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) from the city.

In recent days, rival gunmen had clashes and carried out executions. In one of the attacks, gunmen reportedly fired into the city zoo, killing a deer and a mountain goat. Soon after, zoo officials discovered the gunmen tried to poison the endangered wolf exhibit. Locals claimed authorities did nothing to stop the attack.

Known as “La Vaca” or The Cow, Jose Bernabe Brizuela Meraz was at one time a regional leader within CJNG, but in early March announced that he was breaking away and even claimed that the leader of CJNG, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, was dead. Since then, CJNG and La Vaca’s men have been fighting for Colima and surrounding areas. It remains unclear if CJNG rivals tied to the Sinaloa Cartel are helping La Vaca.

Since Colima is controlled by Mexico’s ruling party Morena, officials have sent hundreds of soldiers to the region. Despite claims of improving security conditions, Colima continues to be a hotspot of violence.

Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and other areas to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by Jose Luis Lara, a former leading member who helped start the Self-Defense Movement in Michoacán.