The death toll from a mine-type explosive device detonated on the Michoacán–Jalisco border stands at eight, according to federal sources—marking one of the deadliest attacks against the Mexican Army in recent years.
The explosion occurred on May 27 while personnel from the Mexican Army and the National Guard were patrolling an area in the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán in an armored vehicle. The blast occurred in a region contested by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Cárteles Unidos—both groups designated as transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) by the U.S. Department of State in February.
The attack coincided with an operation to dismantle a cartel training facility and comes amid growing concerns over the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by organized crime groups.
Cárteles Unidos is composed of operatives from the Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, La Familia Michoacana and Knights Templar Cartel. The alliance was originally formed to drive the Zetas Cartel from Michoacán and Jalisco.