Military Commander and Judge Killed... Gunfire in Mexico's 'War on Drugs'

Ministry of Justice: "An Attack Not Just on One Judge but on the Entire Judiciary"
Crime Occurs 9 Days After Death of Defense Forces' Top Commander
Sacatecas State Homicide Rate Increased 400% from 2015 to 2021

The Mexican Army and National Guard personnel are cracking down on violent crimes.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Sung-wook] A judge was shot dead by assailants in Zacatecas, located in north-central Mexico. This area is known as a battleground for power struggles among drug cartels.

According to Reuters and other sources on the 4th (local time), Roberto Elias Martinez, a judge traveling by car in Zacatecas the previous day, was shot by assailants. Police who responded to the report found Judge Martinez in the vehicle with a severe gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital but died within a day. Arturo Nale, Zacatecas Minister of Justice, stated, "One of the most capable and dedicated judges passed away holding the high value of justice," adding, "This crime enraged us and strengthened our hope for peace in Zacatecas."

Mexican authorities are investigating the possibility of drug cartel involvement in this crime. Prosecutors and police are reportedly reviewing cases Judge Martinez handled during his lifetime. Minister Arturo Nale expressed outrage, saying, "This is not simply an attack on one judge but an attack on the entire judiciary." He added, "If we had been aware of any threats against Judge Martinez beforehand, we would have taken preventive protective measures, but neither his family nor colleagues anticipated the possibility of an attack."

This incident occurred just nine days after the highest-ranking commander of the Zacatecas National Guard was killed in a shooting in a nearby area. General Jose Silvestre Ursua Padilla died on the 24th of last month during a confrontation with armed cartels in Los Pinos, near the borders of Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and Aguascalientes. At the time, he was conducting search and arrest operations against criminal organizations in Los Pinos to combat rising kidnapping crimes and local police corruption. In addition to General Ursua Padilla, four other security personnel were reported injured.

Last year, the number of homicide victims in Zacatecas was approximately 1,050, with the murder rate increasing by more than 400% compared to 2015. This is due to competing drug cartels in the area fighting to control fentanyl trafficking routes and production zones. In response, in October, David Monreal, Governor of Zacatecas, ordered security forces to intensify efforts to eradicate violent crime. Following General Ursua Padilla’s death, Governor Monreal expressed condolences but stated, "We will not relent in our fight to apprehend criminals."

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has deployed over 3,500 military and police personnel to Zacatecas as part of a strong security maintenance effort at the central government level. However, clashes with gangs continue, as in January when suspected drug cartel members parked a vehicle carrying 10 corpses at the state government building as a warning message.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.