In a tragic incident in Villahermosa, Tabasco, southeastern Mexico, gunmen stormed into the bar La Casita Azul on Saturday night, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to five others. This attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents in the region.
According to the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, a manhunt has been initiated for the shooters, with authorities analyzing surveillance footage and deploying both state and federal forces to apprehend those responsible. Initially, the death toll was reported as five, but the Tabasco public prosecutor’s office later confirmed two additional fatalities, describing the bar as operating clandestinely.
The scene at La Casita Azul was grim, with local media reporting bodies scattered across the floor where the assailants indiscriminately fired upon patrons.
Tabasco, known for its oil production, has experienced a surge in violent crime in recent months. This attack follows closely on the heels of other violent episodes in the area; in November, another bar in Villahermosa was attacked, resulting in six deaths and ten injuries. Earlier attacks in Queretaro and a suburb of Mexico City further highlight the pervasive issue of violence linked to organized crime across Mexico.
This incident is part of a broader, ongoing struggle with drug-related violence in Mexico, which has claimed over 450,000 lives since 2006 when the government intensified its fight against cartels. Even after the recent change in leadership with Claudia Sheinbaum taking office as President on October 1, 2024, gang violence persists. President Sheinbaum has opted for an intelligence-based approach to undermine cartel operations rather than engaging in direct military conflict, continuing her predecessor’s focus on social investment and crime prevention as means to combat crime at its roots.
This latest shooting underscores the challenges Mexico faces in curbing violence and ensuring public safety amidst the complexities of organized crime.
