Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta has confirmed the installation of a military guard post near the municipality’s western boundary with Jocotepec.
The Mexican Army platoon is based at a property owned and facilitated by the city government where a futbol rapido (arena soccer) and storage warehouses were built last year. It is located adjacent to the north side of the highway in the vicinity of El Bajio, now set off by topes (speed bumps) to slow down traffic at either access.
The troops under command of the XV Military Zone are reportedly assigned to carry out routine patrols throughout the lakeshore region as a precautionary measure to boost security, while standing ready for dispatch to other areas as needed. Local law enforcement and city hall officials apparently are not privy to the soldiers’ orders.