Photo: JOATAM DE BASADE/AFP/Getty Images
By: The opinion Posted May 24, 2023, 17:28 pm EDT
Three Americans died in the armed attack that occurred last Saturday at a racing event in Baja California (Mexico)which left 10 dead and nine injured, local media reported.
The attack on civilians occurred while an off-road vehicle racing event was taking place at kilometer 90 of the Transpeninsular Highway, near the town of San Vicente, about 180 kilometers south of the Mexico-California border ( USA.).
The US State Department confirmed to the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper that three US citizens were among the 10 fatalitiesalthough he did not reveal their names.
The family of Roberto Isaías “Tito” Ayala told NBC 7 television that the man, a San Diego resident and father of a four-year-old girl, was one of the victims.
The attorney general of Baja California, Iván Carpio Sánchez, indicated at a press conference last Monday that it was a direct attack involving two antagonistic criminal groups: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Arellano Félix Cartel (CAF).
Specifically, the target of the attack was a man allegedly related to drug trafficking identified as Alonso Arambula Pinaalias “El Trébol”, according to Carpio.
The official added that the alleged offender was driving the vehicle marked with the number 15 and which had a stamp (symbol) of a clover. An official from a municipality in the area was traveling in the same unit, identified as José Eduardo Orozco Piña, who also died, as well as Mariana Soto, the capo’s sentimental partner, also dejected.
According to local media such as the weekly Zeta, “El Trébol” was a lieutenant of the Sinaloa cartel who held a bitter dispute against the Arellano Felix cartela criminal organization that has historically dominated Baja California.
A military source consulted by the Milenio newspaper revealed that Alfonso Arzate Garciaalias “El Aquiles”, and his brother René, alias “La Rana”, would be responsible for the attack.
The DEA and the FBI have capture records for both brothersand a $20,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to his arrest.
Early research estimates that more than 250 shots were fired from at least 13 weapons, including rifles and pistols.
In October of last year, the State Department issued its latest travel advisory for Americans traveling to Mexico, advising against visiting six states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.
He also asked to reconsider travel to seven other states, including Baja California, due to crime and kidnappings in the US border state.
With information from EFE
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