At least 18 people have been killed in a clash between alleged drug traffickers in an isolated area of the state of Sakateka in central and northern Mexico, a spokesman for local authorities told AFP.
The exchange of fire is believed to have involved gangs claiming control of part of Sakateka in the border area with the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, said Rossio Aguilar, a spokesman for the public security service.
The Nea Genia Cartel of Jalisco , one of the strongest organized crime gangs in the country, operates in the area .
In the scene of the crime , the law enforcement forces found three cars, one of which had been burned, explained Ms. Aguilar.
Mexican media have reported shootings in Sakatekas since Wednesday, the day the bodies of two police officers were found hanging from a bridge in the capital.
However, the authorities “so far” have not ascertained whether there is any connection between this case and the bloody conflict that took place yesterday , according to the spokesperson.
The Mexico continues to be swept by wave of violence attributed to gang activity mainly involved in smuggling drugs and has killed 300,000 more people by December 2006, according to official data.
