(Acapulco) At least 11 police officers were killed in an armed attack Monday in a region of southern Mexico plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.
Unidentified assailants targeted a security patrol in Coyuca de Benitez (southwest state of Guerrero) during a trip by the local security secretary, Guerrero state deputy prosecutor Alejandro said Hernandez.
According to “preliminary information”, he continued, “11 members of the municipal police who were attacked lost their lives”. An investigation was opened to determine the motivations of the attackers.
The local security secretary was identified by the local press as Alfredo Alonso Lopez. The latter, as well as another local official, were also killed in the attack, according to the same source.
“We were not aware of any threats against officials” from Coyuca de Benitez, Mr. Hernandez said.
The deputy prosecutor did not provide details on the circumstances of the attack, but local press reported that it was an ambush.
Images circulating on social media show several people in uniform, lying face down on the ground, their hands tied, and seemingly lifeless.