• USED CARS: Five men were shot and killed at a used-car fair in the city of Uruapan (pop. 334,000) right in the heart of Mexico’s avocado producing country in the western state of Michoacán and which in recent months has seen an increase in violent incidents linked to organized crime gangs.
• VIOLENT TOWN: Back in August, 19 bodies were found hanging from pedestrian and vehicle bridges in Uruapan; the criminal group known as CJNG (Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación) claimed the bodies were from rival gang members involved in extortion of avocado producers and businesses.
• ONE INJURED: “A sixth male was injured and was channeled to a local hospital for care. (Investigators) found, set and collected ballistic evidence which will be analyzed”, Michoacán’s State Attorney General Office said in a press release on Sunday.
•AMBASSADOR: Like most of Michoacán State, Uruapan is off-limits for US officials given a Do Not Travel advisory (Level 4) from the US Department of State. Notwithstanding, the new US Ambassador, Chris Landau, had visited the Uruapan area last Friday visiting avocado producers.
