05/30/11 — A shootout between the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Zetas occurred in the Pacific state of Nayarit on Thursday, May 26, that left 29 dead, among them one Guatemalan. Authorities were originally investigating a kidnapping when they were alerted of the shootout. Upon arriving, the bodies, which authorities believe to be mostly Zetas, were strewn across a roadway near the town of Ruiz, as well as inside bullet-riddled vehicles. Many of the victims donned fake military uniforms, and grenades, bulletproof vests, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were also found at the scene. Mexican Army soldiers apprehended two wounded suspects.
Nayarit, which is between the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, was relatively quiet during the first few years of surging violence since President Calderón initiated his war against the drug cartels, but has been swept up in the turf battles between rival cartels and splinter groups. Nayarit is known to be home to the Sinaloa cartel, which is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug gangs, but has recently been rivaled by the Zetas cartel and the remaining members of the Beltran Levya cartel.
Sources:
“28 Killed in Gun Battle Along Mexican Highway.” New York Times. May 26, 2011.
“Mexico gang shootout in Nayarit state kills 28.” BBC News. May 26, 2011.
Ruiz, Gustavo. “29 dead. 700 flee as gang battles hit west Mexico.” Associated Press. May 26, 2011.
Tello, Antonio. “Balacera deja 28 muertos en Nayarit.” El Universal. May 26, 2011.
