Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – An armed clash between civilians and members of the National Guard has left several individuals injured, as per initial reports emerging from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The incident transpired during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, February 6, stirring concern among local residents and prompting a swift response from security forces.
Reports indicate that the confrontation unfolded in the town of La Desembocada, prompting the deployment of security personnel to the area. While the violent encounter occurred within Jalisco’s jurisdiction, it was the Nayarit Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSyPC) that confirmed the altercation between security forces and civilians.
The SSyPC, in a statement shared via social media platform Facebook, elucidated that the incident transpired specifically in the towns of El Ranchito and La Desembocada in Jalisco. However, authorities from Nayarit refrained from disclosing whether there were any casualties on their side.
Moreover, Nayarit authorities revealed that various security agencies were mobilized to forestall any potential escalation of violence in their jurisdiction. In a statement, they emphasized, “The State Highway and Tourist Police, in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, SEDENA, and the National Guard, have activated the necessary security protocols to safeguard our borders and prevent any potential repercussions in our area.” The statement underscored the absence of reported violent activities in Nayarit while asserting the maintenance of constant vigilance and operational readiness.
Initial reports suggested at least four injuries, including two members of the National Guard. Reporter Evaristo Tenorio from Fuerza Informativa Azteca de Jalisco, corroborated that the wounded individuals included two National Guard members, while Channel 13 of Guadalajara corroborated via social media that two National Guard personnel sustained injuries to their feet, alongside injuries to two civilians in the arm and abdomen. Some accounts indicate the detainment of these individuals.
However, the National Guard’s official channels had not released any information regarding the confrontation as of 4:00 p.m. on the day of the incident.
Images circulated on social media platforms depicted the cordoned-off area where the confrontation occurred, along with a notable presence of law enforcement personnel.
Initial reports suggested that the clash erupted as National Guard units conducted routine surveillance patrols and came under attack by armed civilians. The assault on security personnel transpired on Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m., lasting only a few minutes.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear, with no definitive link established between the assailants and any criminal organization.
Puerto Vallarta’s Significance in Criminal Activities
According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Puerto Vallarta serves as a significant operational hub for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In late November 2023, the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned several companies implicated in timeshare fraud, allegedly tied to the CJNG led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”
These sanctions targeted 13 companies primarily engaged in real estate activities located within Puerto Vallarta, a municipality identified as a strategic stronghold for illicit activities, including drug trafficking. Additionally, three individuals associated with the timeshare fraud linked to the CJNG faced sanctions, underscoring the ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal operations in the region.
The incident underscores the challenges posed by organized crime in areas like Puerto Vallarta and the ongoing efforts by authorities to maintain security and combat criminal activities in the region.
