21 killed across Guerrero, 13 in Guanajuato, policeman gunned down in Morelos on November 1-2

Reports indicate that several security incidents transpired on November 1-2 during celebrations for the “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead). In Guerrero state 21 were killed in the seven municipalities of Acapulco, Iguala, Chilpancingo, Coyuca de Catalán, Eduardo Neri, Teloloapan, and Copanatoyac. In turn, 13 were reported killed in the Guanajuato state, locales of Pinícuaro, Moroleón, Abasolo, Apaseo el Alto, Pénjamo, Yuriria, Acámbaro, and San José Iturbide. Finally, a police commander was gunned down in Temixco, in Morelos state.

While some of the incidents are connected to low-level crime, others are likely related to cartel violence. Noteworthily, in Iguala, three youngsters were gunned down by assailants on November 1. Subsequently, when a day later four relatives went to the local morgue to collect the bodies they were ambushed by armed men. In Abasolo, four men were burned alive inside a van, three of which were placed in the trunk. While none of these incidents transpired in key or central areas frequented by foreigners, they underscore the risks posed by surging violence in the country.