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© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Graphic shows areas of operation of Mexico’s drug cartels and number of people murdered since 2014.
GN35584EN

CRIME

Surge in drug-related violence in Mexico

By Jordi Bou

July 6, 2017 - A series of deadly clashes between rival drug gangs has sent Mexico’s homicide rate soaring to levels not seen in two decades.

At least 14 people were killed in a gunfight Wednesday between members of La Linea gang and a faction of the Sinaloa cartel in the town of Las Varas, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) northwest of the city of Chihuahua.

Violence has surged since Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was extradited to the U.S. in January, with 11,155 homicides in just five months.

President Enrique Pena Nieto came to office in 2012 vowing to end years of drug violence.

But despite an initial drop in the murder rate, it has been rising steadily since and is now on track to top 2011’s record 27,213 people murdered.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 06/07/2017; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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