3 farmers killed by roadside bomb in Mexico days after 4 soldiers die in explosive "trap" likely set by cartel

Updated on: March 6, 2024 / 7:28 AM EST / CBS/AP


CRIME
3 farmers killed by roadside bomb in Mexico days after 4 soldiers die in explosive "trap" likely set by cartel
Updated on: March 6, 2024 / 7:28 AM EST / CBS/AP


Three farmers were killed Tuesday by a bomb apparently planted in a dirt road in the cartel-dominated western Mexico state of Michoacan, marking the second time in just five days that hidden explosive devices have caused multiple fatalities in the region. A state security official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said the blast occurred in the rural township of Tumbiscatio.

Graphic photos of the scene posted on social media suggest the blast was so powerful that it blew the farmer's truck in half and flipped it, and blew the victims' limbs off. It was the latest instance of what appears to be an increasing use of improvised explosive devices by drug cartels battling for control of Michoacan.

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Overall, 556 improvised explosive devices of all types - roadside, drone-carried and car bombs - were found in Mexico between January and August 2023. A total of 2,186 have been found during the current administration, which took office in December 2018, the army said in n August news release.

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In January, state prosecutors said a cartel in Michoacan set up its own makeshift internet antennas — dubbed "narco-antennas" — and told locals they had to pay to use its Wi-Fi service or they would be killed.

More:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/farmers-killed-bomb-mexico-after-soldiers-killed-ied-trap-likely-set-by-cartel/