On the early morning of December 29, 2023, an attack by armed men on a party in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico resulted in eight deaths and 23 injuries.
A group of three gunmen in a pickup truck arrived at the party and began firing at the crowd. Another individual, reportedly a minor who was already in attendance, joined the assault and identified the target.
The primary target of the attack was Leobardo Vega Arellano, also known as “El Wacho,” a known gang leader and narcotics dealer with five outstanding arrest warrants for homicide and femicide, among other crimes. Despite his attempts to flee the scene, he was one of the individuals killed.
Among the casualties were two individuals under the age of 18. Five children were injured, with four listed in critical condition in local hospitals. Thirteen others received treatment and were subsequently discharged. Additionally, two more individuals succumbed to their injuries in the hospital following initial media reports.
The attackers fled the scene, leaving behind significant damage and heightening concerns about the ongoing narcotics conflict in the area.
On December 30, Alfonso Durazo, the governor of Sonora, announced via Twitter that four individuals connected with the previous day’s violent events in the municipality of Cajeme had been apprehended. Additionally, the vehicle used in the crime, along with assault rifles and drugs, were seized at the time of arrest.
Ciudad Obregon, located in northwest Mexico, is a contested area in the fight for control over drug trafficking routes to the United States. The incident is a stark reminder of the area’s instability, plagued by conflict between rival criminal groups such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Chapos Cartel.
The Attorney General’s Office has stated that the shooting was a calculated act by a rival group against “El Wacho,” indicative of the fierce territorial disputes in the drug trade.
The state of Sonora, as highlighted by U.S. travel advisories, is a hub for crime and kidnapping, playing a significant role in international drug and human trafficking networks. The high levels of violence in this region pose serious risks, affecting not only local residents but also visitors and U.S. government employees, who face severe travel restrictions due to safety concerns.